A taskforce tackling tax dodgers in the haulage industry operating in Northamptonshire and the wider Midlands has been launched today by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).
The taskforce, specialist teams that undertake intensive bursts of activity in specific high-risk trade sectors and locations in the UK, will visit traders to examine their records and carry out other investigations.
HMRC said it hopes to recover £3.5 million.
A spokeswoman said: “Because of its good transport links, this activity is of particular importance in Northamptonshire.”
David Gauke, the 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.”
HMRC has collected more than £80 million as a result of taskforces launched since 2011-12.
It expects to bring in over £90 million per year from taskforces launched over the next three years.
The taskforce will tackle tax evasion of road hauliers in Midlands. Other taskforces including the holiday industry in Cornwall, Isles of Scilly, Devon, Somerset, South Wales, Blackpool, the Lake District and North Wales; restaurants in Lincolnshire and Tyneside and the fishing industry in Scotland were also launched today.
HMRC’s Jennie Granger, director general enforcement and compliance, said: “Our message is clear - if you seek to evade tax or defraud the tax system, HMRC can and
will track you down. You will face not only a heavy fine, but possibly a criminal prosecution as well.”
Taskforces bring together various HMRC compliance and enforcement teams for intensive bursts of activity targeted at specific sectors and locations where there is
evidence of high risk of tax evasion and fraud.
HMRC has launched 43 taskforces since 2011. A further 27 are planned for 2013-14 and 30 for 2014-15.