Tax crime prosecutions hit three-year high of 300

The number of prosecutions for tax crimes has hit a three year high of 300 in the year to 30 September 2024 up 19% from 252 in the previous year according to statistics from HMRC.

The figures show the number of new tax investigations opened by HMRC during the third quarter of 2024 was 93 000 the highest figure registered in a quarter for three and a half years. The number of investigations opened has averaged 78 000 a quarter for the last three years.

Ian Robotham legal director at Pinsent Masons said: ‘Successive governments have repeatedly given HMRC more funding to assist with investigating and prosecuting tax fraud. It looks like we’re now seeing the tax authority deliver on that. With HMRC having been given another £1.4bn in last month’s Budget to hire an additional 5 000 compliance...