HMRC is launching seven new investigation task forces. Who’s being targeted this time?

After launching nearly 40 task forces in the last two years HMRC hasn’t yet run out of steam and the latest batch are aimed at different industries as far apart as the Isles of Scilly and Scotland. The new task forces are aimed at the:

• fishing industry in Scotland
• restaurants in the North East and Lincolnshire
• road hauliers in the Midlands
• holiday industry in the North West
• holiday industry in South Wales
• holiday industry in North Wales
• holiday industry in the South West, including the Isles of Scilly.

Landlords beware the wider net. Those task forces focusing on the holiday industry won’t confine themselves to landlords living in the local area. Inevitably, HMRC will be contacting the owners of holiday properties, no matter where they live.

Other forces. In the early days we heard through the grapevine that some of HMRC’s task force officers weren’t well informed about the industry sectors they were investigating. That’s less likely to be the case now, plus they are increasingly getting other forces involved, like the police and the Home Office. The latter will check that you’re keeping the right paperwork for any foreign workers you employ

Make the right first move. It’s easy for HMRC to say you have nothing to fear if you aren’t unfairly avoiding tax, but in our experience if it’s looking for trouble it might find it even where there isn’t any. Therefore, if you’re contacted by an HMRC task force we recommend speaking to your tax advisor immediately.

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) recently introduced a campaign for taxpayers to bring their tax affairs up to date under Self Assessment.

This is aimed at individuals who have been issued with a tax return for any tax years up to 5 April 2012 but who have not yet submitted the return to HMRC.

Individuals who have outstanding tax returns and who do not take advantage of this campaign may face a penalty charge of 100% of the outstanding income tax and National Insurance Contributions (NIC) (200% for overseas matters for the 2012 tax year).

If you would like to join this campaign, you must notify HMRC and submit all outstanding tax returns up to 5 April 2012 by 15 October 2013.  In addition, any outstanding income tax and NIC must be paid by 15 October 2013.  It may be possible to arrange a payment plan with HMRC’s My Tax Return Catch Up team.

Taxpayers cannot take part in this campaign if HMRC has opened an investigation, enquiry or compliance check into their tax affairs.  Also, only taxpayers currently registered for Self Assessment can take advantage of this campaign.