Length of prison terms for tax evasion up by 42%

HMRC has shown its willingness to crack down on tax evasion with an 11% increase in decisions to charge individual taxpayers – an increase from 304 to 336 in 2021-22. 

The total number of years tax evaders are sentenced to has also jumped 42% in the same 12-month period – 185 years to 262 years in prison according to law firm Pinsent Masons. This shows that HMRC is becoming more aggressive in its approach to suspected tax evasion sending a clear message that no one is beyond their reach.

Recently Bernie Ecclestone former Formula 1 head was charged with fraud following an HMRC investigation over an alleged failure to declare £400m of overseas assets.

Andrew Sackey partner at Pinsent Masons said: ‘These figures demonstrate that HMRC wants to show it means business to “persuade” better tax compliance and is...