HMRC have launched taskforces in the holiday and restraurant industry. Businesses in the holiday industry, operating within Blackpool, the Lake District, North Wales, Devon and Cornwall and restaurants in the North East area are to be targeted, with a combined expected yield of approx £8.8m.
HMRC has collected more than £80m through the use of targeted taskforces in several areas of the country where there are perceived to be high-risk industries since they were launched in 2011/12 and is hoping to bring in over £90m per year over the next three years.
David Gauke, Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury said ” We are determined to support hardworking people who want to get on in this industry and every other. However, the people being targeted by this taskforce have no intention of playing by the rules. The government has made it clear that we will not tolerate tax evasion and we have provided HMRC with the resources to crack down on those who break the rules.”
Also launched today were taskforces looking into the affairs of the fishing industry in Scotland and road hauliers in the Midlands.
Since 2011 there have been around 43 taskforces with a further 27 planned for 2013/14 and a further 30 for 2014/15. The aim of the taskforces is to encourage traders in the targeted industries to voluntarily come forward and settle any outstanding tax liabilities. Compliance checks are also carried out and these visits can be both announced or unannounced.