The move is only the latest step in a sustained campaign by HMRC and the UK government to combat tax evasion and avoidance and follows the publication in January of a series of photographs of 32 of the UK’s top tax cheats who were sentenced last year.
HMRC regularly uses its online photo sharing page on Flickr to publish photographs of those convicted of tax evasion or fraud. Earlier today it published photographs of two UK-based financial advisers who were convicted of a £142,000 tax fraud – to view HMRC’s Flickr page click here.
In this latest development, HMRC has used powers granted to it under Section 94 of the Finance Act 2009 which allows it to publish the name and address of those who have been charged with avoiding one or more penalties in relation to avoided tax of over £25,000.
To view a copy of the list click here.
David Gauke, exchequer secretary to the Treasury, said: “HMRC is dedicated to clamping down on the small minority of people who break the law, and finding and taking action against tax cheats who try to evade their responsibilities.
“The publication of these names sends a clear signal that cheating on tax is wrong and reassures people who pay their taxes – the vast majority – that there are consequences for those who refuse to tell HMRC about their full liability. It also encourages defaulters to make a full and prompt disclosure and cooperate with HMRC to avoid being named.”
