Tax Evasion

You may be reported or investigated for tax evasion for several reasons. The main tax evasion offences that are likely to alert HMRC are those of utilising offshore accounts in a bid to illegally circumvent the UK tax system, hiding taxable assets or making false tax returns by either exaggerating expenses or other deductions or claiming that any income was lower than in actuality.

If you have received a letter inviting you to a tax evasion investigation interview, or you have cause to believe that you have been reported to HMRC and may now be facing fines for tax evasion, get in touch with the specialist tax fraud solicitors at DBT & Partners.

How Can DBT & Partners Help When Accused of Tax Evasion?

We’ll discuss your case in full, attend interviews and hearings with you and use our expertise to help you achieve the best outcome possible.

Due to the current government crackdown, tax evasion penalties are harsh – so it’s best to be prepared with the best legal defence possible.

Related Offences and Allegations

An individual may face tax evasion penalties if they are accused of:

• Fraudulent evasion of income tax
• Fraudulent evasion of VAT
• Providing false information to HMRC
• Fraudulent evasion of excise duty
• Goods smuggling
• Cheating the public revenue
• Facilitation of tax evasion

If it can be proven that you are guilty of deliberate dishonest non-payment or underpayment of tax, tax evasion sentencing guidelines state that you could be liable to pay substantial amounts in fines and repayments and may even face jail time.

There is, of course, a difference between tax avoidance and tax evasion, and because of this, the legality of certain actions may be successfully argued by tax evasion solicitors.

Tax Evasion: Frequently Asked Questions

Can you go to jail for not paying taxes in the UK?

Tax evasion sentencing guidelines vary depending on the nature of the offence committed.

The majority of cases in which a defendant is found guilty tend to result in custodial tax evasion penalties of seven years maximum. However, the offence of cheating the public revenue may see the perpetrator jailed for a period extending to life.

An individual guilty of tax evasion may not be the only party that receives punishment – if their employer is found to have failed to prevent the facilitation of tax evasion, they too may face criminal prosecution or an unlimited fine.

For this reason, both businesses and individuals should contact trusted tax evasion solicitors as soon as an investigation is launched.

What is the difference between tax avoidance and tax evasion?

The question of tax avoidance vs tax evasion is one of legal activity vs illegal activity.

The term “tax avoidance” refers to the approach of legally exploiting the taxation system to gain a tax advantage.

“Tax evasion”, on the other hand, involves dishonesty and deliberately making false reports or illegally manipulating systems to unfairly circumvent taxation law.

Individuals guilty of this will face fines for tax evasion and may also be required to repay the amount to which they have defrauded the system. A prison sentence may result in the more serious cases of tax evasion.

How do HMRC investigate tax evasion?

A system called “Connect” is utilised by HMRC to examine tax returns and check the validity of the amounts involved. They can also communicate internationally to track your offshore activity.

If suspicious behaviour is flagged, an investigation is then started. You may also be reported by an independent body for tax evasion, and those working in high-risk industries may automatically be investigated.

You may be subject to a full enquiry – where HMRC has noted numerous tax return errors and believes that you are highly likely to be involved in tax fraud.

An aspect enquiry – where just one part of your accounts or tax returns appears suspicious to HMRC;

Or a random enquiry – where HMRC chooses an unrelated selection of businesses to investigate.

Tax Evasion Solicitors

Whether you have only just been made aware of an investigation into your tax activities, or you have been informed that you are liable to pay fines for tax evasion, contact DBT & Partner’s expert tax fraud solicitors as soon as you can for high-quality legal representation and support.