CIOT highlights increased pressure on plumbers

Date: 17th August 2011

Small business owners around the UK could be encouraged to seek the assistance of a specialist tax accountancy service following the recent comments of one industry body.

The Chartered Institute of Taxation (CIOT) has highlighted increased pressure from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) on tax defaulters.

It comes as HMRC announced that five plumbers have been arrested and a further 600 are under civil investigation for failing to pay the correct amount of tax.

The arrests come after the department organised a Plumbers Tax Safe Plan, which invited taxpayers to come forward voluntarily to put their taxes in order.

Gary Ashford, a spokesman for the CIOT, commented: "This is further evidence that HMRC is entering a new phase with these disclosure campaigns. They have had limited success with the numbers coming forward in the recent medical and plumbers disclosure opportunities, so they are getting tough with those who didn't register or disclose.

"People should not underestimate the amount of data that HMRC is holding. What we are now seeing is HMRC starting to use that information. The net is tightening on those who break the law."

Posted by Jacob Williams