HMRC is collecting more data from you and sending out nudge letters: find out what they are and what you can do on today’s tax tip.
(3-minute read)
We will cover:
- Information that can be accessed by HMRC
- Precautionary steps to avoid tax errors
What kind of information does HMRC have access to?
The UK’s tax authority, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has been increasing its use of data harvesting powers to identify and investigate potential tax evasion or fraud.
This includes using data from various sources, such as banks and social media, to identify individuals or businesses that may not be reporting all of their income or paying the correct amount of tax.
The use of data harvesting by HMRC is part of a broader trend in government agencies using advanced data analytics and technology to improve tax compliance and enforcement.
HMRC holds the right to request information from certain sources such as:
- Bank and financial institutions (for example, account balances, transactions, and credit scores)
- Property information (ownership, value, and rental income)
- Social media profiles, blogs, e-commerce platforms
- Third-party data providers such as credit reference agencies, marketing companies
- Other government agencies, such as Department of Work and Pensions, to cross reference income and benefits
Nudge letters from HMRC
HMRC is launching a set of campaigns to encourage tax compliance, which include nudge letters. Nudge letters are used to ‘nudge’, i.e., encourage action from certain trades and businesses such as:
- Landlords
- Taxi and mini-cab drivers
- Company owners
Those who receive a nudge letter must decide whether they need to register for Self-Assessment and if they already are if they are reporting their income and expenditure fully.
The reason for receiving nudge letters is due to HMRC’s suspicion that companies may not be reporting all of their income or paying the correct amount of tax.
Taxpayers who have undisclosed profits or Capital Gains Tax should take steps to bring their tax affairs up to date as soon as possible.
How to safeguard against these measures?
To safeguard against the increased use of data harvesting powers by HMRC, individuals and businesses can take the following 7 steps:
1. Keep accurate and detailed records of all financial transactions, including income and expenses, to ensure that all tax obligations are being met.
2. Be aware of the various types of data that HMRC can access, such as bank account information, social media profiles, and other publicly available information.
3. Be transparent in all financial dealings and disclose all relevant information to HMRC to avoid any unintentional errors or omissions.
4. Seek professional advice from a tax advisor or accountant to ensure that all tax obligations are being met and to address any concerns about potential compliance issues.
5. Stay informed about the laws and regulations related to tax compliance and data privacy in order to understand your rights and obligations.
6. Use encryption and other security measures to protect sensitive financial information from unauthorized access.
7. Be cautious about sharing personal information online and limit the amount of personal information that is publicly available.
It’s also important to note that individuals and businesses have the right to appeal any decisions made by HMRC and have access to independent dispute resolution.
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