HM Revenue & Customs has launched a taskforce to tackle tax evasion by landlords in Scotland.
The setting up of the taskforce forms part of the government’s crackdown on tax evasion. It wants to raise an additional £7bn a year through the launch of the taskforces.
Chief secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander said: “It is not right that some landlords in Scotland have chosen to deliberately evade the taxes they should be paying. This is not fair on honest businesses and HMRC will come down hard on those who have chosen to break the rules.
“If you deliberately seek to evade tax, HMRC can and will track you down and you’ll face not only a heavy fine, but possibly a criminal prosecution as well.”
The HMRC launched a broader taskforce to tackle tax-dodging landlords late last year.
It was set up to focus on cases in Greater London, where there has been a deliberate failure with the “option to tax” regime.
The property sector is one of a few high-risk trade sectors that are being targeted by the HMRC investigation teams.
samantha.mcclary@estatesgazette.com
