HMRC task forces generate a record £541m in one year

There has been a 17% increase in extra revenue generated by HMRC’s specialist task forces in 2018-19 to £541m up from £464m in 2017-18 according to data obtained from HMRC by Pinsent Masons.

There have been 360 task forces created since 2011. They are comprised of HMRC’s most experienced staff who are specialists within their particular industry. This pooled expertise and narrow focus make these teams more likely to identify the best cases for investigation with the highest possible financial yields.

Sectors that task forces have specifically focused on include:

• street markets in London;
• fast food outlets in London;
• buy-to-let landlords in the South East;
• taxi firms in Yorkshire;
• tobacco industry;
• alcohol industry in Scotland;
• scrap metal dealers in Scotland;
• holiday industry in Cornwall;
• hair and beauty businesses in Northern Ireland; and
• construction industry.

 The use of taskforces comes as HMRC pivots strategically towards preventative methods to tackle tax evasion rather than reacting after it takes place. Josie Hills...