Pictured above: Michael Tuhme
Nottingham-based RSM Tenon says news that HM Revenue &
Customs has launched task forces to tackle tax evaders means that
it is taking matters seriously.
Michael Tuhme, director of tax services at RSM Tenon in
Nottingham, said this was another example of HRMC stepping up its
fight against tax evasion and non compliance.
The specialist teams will tackle high-risk trade sectors across
the UK, beginning with the restaurant trade in London over the next
few weeks, he said.
The move is one of a series of recent initiatives carried out by
HMRC designed to combat tax evasion and non compliance. The medical
profession and offshore bank accounts have been the focus of
previous disclosure campaigns, and more recently the plumbing and
heating industry.
Mr Tuhme said: 'We are now starting to see the unveiling of
HMRC's new approach to tackling non compliance. Clearly HMRC are
seeing the restaurant trade as a high-risk area, hence sending in
this new task force instead of offering some sort of voluntary tax
disclosure facility as we have seen for offshore bank accounts,
medics and plumbers. This may have come out of the intelligence
they will have gleaned from the project they had running a few
years ago on the restaurants and celebrity chefs.
'This is one of a number of recently launched HMRC initiatives,
and it is clear that they are taking the issue of tax evasion and
non compliance very seriously and coming down hard on
evaders.
'HMRC is currently running a disclosure facility aimed at those
working in the plumbing and heating industry, although any tax
payer can take advantage of this initiative. If those working in
the restaurant industry are interested in taking part then they
should contact their financial adviser immediately as this closes
on 31 May.
'HMRC has already made clear there will be a five fold increase
in criminal prosecutions and we are now starting to see them take
that approach on offshore bank accounts. Medics, plumbers and now
restaurants will clearly be next.'