HMRC's drop in investigations into wealthy tax evaders raises concerns about impunity and integrity. Critics argue it may create a culture of complacency among taxpayers.
This significant decline, from 1,417 civil inquiries in the tax year 2018-19 to just 627 in 2022-23, signals a troubling trend in the enforcement of tax laws against offshore, corporate, and wealthy taxpayers investigated by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) fraud unit.
This shift has sparked a wave of criticism, with campaigners and critics arguing that HMRC's dwindling enforcement actions are allowing tax dodgers to operate with impunity, undermining the integrity of the tax system.
I'm not surprised. Anyone who has to interact with HMRC regularly knows they don't have nearly enough staff and they are so behind it's untrue. They likely don't have the manpower to do investigations.