HMRC targets wealthy individuals in the golden triangle

In 2021-22 HMRC’s specialist ‘wealthy north’ team collected £138m in compliance revenue compared to £82m collected by each of the ‘wealthy central and south’ and ‘wealthy wider UK’ teams. This is a trend that has continued since 2017-18.

HMRC has made a large investment in its investigation capabilities in the north in recent years as pockets of significant wealth have developed according to Pinsent Masons. The best-known of these areas is the ‘golden triangle’ a small area of affluent towns and villages including Alderley Edge Wilmslow and Prestbury in Cheshire.

It has become known for its community of north-west based footballers with many household-name players from clubs including Manchester United Manchester City and Liverpool calling the areas home. The area is also popular among high-earning central Manchester financial and professional services workers.

When investigating wealthy individuals living in the UK HMRC often focuses...