Tax Evasion Penalties

In the United Kingdom, tax evasion is defined as the willful failure to pay a tax or duty to HMRC.

The most common examples include:

·       The deliberate concealment of income

·       The deliberate understatement of income

·       The deliberate overstatement of expenses

·       A failure to notify HMRC of chargeable income

If you are being investigated for tax evasion, it is quite likely that HMRC has uncovered suspicious abnormalities or inconsistencies in your tax return or business finances.

 HMRC is considering raising penalties and interest charges to encourage taxpayers to file returns on time while also improving the accuracy of submissions. In recent years, the number of penalties levied has increased significantly, as has the severity of the sanctions.

 PUNISHMENT FOR NOT DECLARING INCOME:

 The most severe tax evasion UK penalties are for deceiving HMRC while filling out a tax return and then taking efforts to conceal, or attempt to conceal, the fraud.

If necessary records have been destroyed or money has been transferred to offshore bank accounts, it may be applicable. Penalties of up to 200 percent of the tax due might be imposed for this form of fraud.

Conviction for evaded income tax carries a six-month prison sentence and a fine up to £5,000.

Income tax evasion that is more significant might result in a sentence of up to seven years  imprisonment.

If the taxpayer does not refund the evaded tax, the sentence might be enhanced and an unlimited punishment imposed.

Mistake or Misinterpretation:
If you committed a genuine error that resulted in an underpayment of tax, HMRC will treat it as a genuine error. As long as the underpaid tax is paid, there are unlikely to be any penalties.

PROVIDING FALSE DOCUMENTATION TO HMRC:

If you furnish HMRC with fraudulent documentation, you might face a maximum fine of £20,000 or a six-month prison sentence.

 Deliberate Understatement :

If HMRC determines that a tax liability was purposefully understated, it is considered substantial tax fraud.

This might be the case if the taxpayer purposefully inflated their expenses or allowances. Because this is considered tax fraud, a tax evasion penalty of up to 70% of the tax owed could be imposed.

 Cheylesmore Chartered Accountants' skilled team can assist you in obtaining more information about tax evasion and how to avoid penalties.