HMRC has identified that there is a problem with some fast food outlets deliberately falsifying their records and mis-declaring their true sales levels in order to avoid paying the correct taxes.
Mike Wells, HMRC’s director of risk and intelligence, said: “This task force will come down hard on fast food outlets that have chosen to break the rules and evade the taxes they should be paying. Honest businesses have absolutely nothing to worry about.
“This task force comes hard on the heels of one launched last month targeting the restaurant sector in London. If you deliberately seek to evade tax, HMRC can and will track you down, and you will face not only a heavy fine, but possibly a criminal prosecution as well.”
This is the fourth task force launched by HMRC since May 2011. HMRC is planning a further nine task forces in 2011/12, with more to follow in 2012/13.
The task forces come as a result of the UK government’s £900m spending review investment to tackle tax evasion, avoidance and fraud from 2011/12, which aims to raise an additional £7bn each year by 2014/15.
Source: HM Revenue & Customs
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