HMRC's targeted tax campaigns lead to jail

by Susie Hughes at 12:06 24/07/12 (News on Business)

A Surrey plumber has been jailed for 12 months for tax evasion after HM Revenue and Customs' targeted specific trade and geographical groups.

Melvyn Careswell (49) of Epsom set up a company, MPC Heating and Plumbing, where he traded as a self employed plumber, but never registered his earnings with HMRC. Investigators discovered that over a five-year period he evaded around £50,000 of Income Tax. He pleaded guilty to £50,000 fraudulent tax evasion and was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment at Kingston Crown Court on 20 July 2012. Confiscation proceedings are underway. HMRC has launched a number of high-profile targeted clampdowns on tax dodgers in specific sectors, including plumbers, central heating engineers, online traders, offshore investors, tutors, medical professionals and VAT defaulters. The campaigns follow similar lines of a time-specific 'warning' to put your tax affairs in order by a certain date....or face the consquences. Once disclosure opportunities close, taxpayers who have not come forward but are found to have unpaid tax liabilities face higher penalties, rising to 100 per cent of the tax unpaid or, potentially, criminal prosecution. Mike Wells, HMRC Director of Risk and Intelligence Services, said: “We want people targeted by any HMRC campaign to come forward and use the opportunity to put the record straight and pay any tax due on the best possible terms. It really is better for people who owe tax to come to HMRC, before we come and find you.” ********************************************** Advertisement - Freelancer Outside IR35 (FO35) ********************************************** Advertisement Protection against disputes with HMRC on tax matters, including IR35, is available for £116.00 a year. Freelancers Outside IR35 (FO35) is a complete operating system for small businesses with guidance on compliance; draft contracts; a helpline; status assessments; and representation by Qdos Consulting in the event of a dispute with the Revenue on tax; VAT; or IR35 issues. FO35 is available online for immediate cover for £116.00 a year. For more information or to order, see......Freelancers Outside IR35 (FO35). Tweet -- If you wish to comment on this article, please log in and use the Reply button below. Registering is free and easy - see 'Join Shout99'. - Susie Hughes © Shout99 2012

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