Tax cheats may now be publicly identified

Thursday, March 4th 2010

A new law came into force yesterday (March 3rd) concerning tax evaders.

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) can now publish the names and details of people who fail to pay tax from April 1st.

Financial secretary to the Treasury Stephen Timms said: "It is only right that people pay their fair share of tax ... We know that law-abiding taxpayers will want to see the results of HMRC's investigations into tax cheats."

He added that it is hoped the measures will act as a preventative step and make people "think twice" about committing tax evasion.

Those caught doing so will have to pay the money they avoided with interest added to it.

Penalties will also be added, which could be as much as the amount of tax evaded and the new legislation will mean the cheats will be publicly identified, Mr Timms continued.

HMRC has a tax evasion hotline so that anybody who suspects fraudulent activity may report it.