Whistleblower reports to HMRC surge 47% in past year

HMRC received 157 270 reports from whistleblowers in 2022-23 up 47% from 106 920 in 2021-22 according to new research by international law firm RPC.

Adam Craggs partner and head of RPC's tax disputes financial crime and regulatory team suggested that the vast scale of fraud against the government’s Covid 19 assistance schemes might be a major driver in the large increase in these reports.

The National Audit Office has estimated that at least £7.3bn was lost to fraudsters taking advantage of the furlough scheme and eat out to help out initiative.

Mr Craggs added: ‘Reports of tax fraud will come from a diverse range of sources such as disgruntled and former employees former partners/spouses customers and competitors.’

He noted that HMRC is closing the net on tax fraud. Improvements in internal systems such as its ‘Connect’ AI technology ...