In December 2014 the government published information about the status and performance of HMRC Campaigns.
In order to reduce the UK tax deficit, which is estimated to be £34bn, HMRC has developed a number of tax disclosure campaigns to encourage individuals to come forward and bring their tax affairs up to date.
Since 2007, it has been confirmed that HMRC has recovered £596 million in unpaid tax from individuals who had come forward to make a voluntary disclosure through a HMRC Campaign. There has been an additional £338 million collected as a result of ‘follow up activities’ such as tax investigations and prosecutions in more serious cases.
HMRC has developed a number of initiatives to encourage individuals to come forward to clarify their tax positions. The figures below show the amount of tax recovered by each campaign.
Campaign |
Total revenue received as of October 2014 |
Tax Health Plan |
£69,323,173 |
Tax Catch Up Plan |
£2,948,256 |
Value Added Tax Outstanding Returns |
£37,812,885 |
VAT Initiative |
£22,271,526 |
Plumbers Tax Safe Plan |
£22,166,777 |
Electricians Tax Safe Plan |
£15,747,846 |
E Marketplaces |
£8,974,292 |
Direct Selling |
£495,133 |
Tax Returns Initiative |
£86,163,464 |
MY Tax Returns Catch Up |
£32,502,644 |
Property Sales |
£7,504,112 |
Offshore Disclosure Facility |
£512,190,000 |
Offshore New Disclosure Opportunity |
£156,923,070 |
Campaigns Consequential Disclosures (those who have not used a campaign to make a voluntary disclosure) |
£5,116,343 |
Let Property Campaign |
£7,852,753 |
Health Well Being Tax Plan |
£809,505 |
Second Income |
Update to be released in February 2015 |
TOTAL |
£988,801,797 |
Current campaigns that are available to individuals wishing to make a voluntary disclosure are as follows:
An opportunity for solicitors, whether in partnership / company or as a sole practitioners to declare any undeclared income.
Solicitors must notify their intention to make a disclosure by 9th March 2015, with full payment due by 9th June 2015.
Offers the chance to residential property landlords to get their tax affairs up to date and remain compliant.
From the date that intention to make a disclosure is made to HMRC, payment must be made within 3 months.
For businesses and individuals that accept debit and credit card payments.
From the date that intention to make a disclosure is made to HMRC, payment must be made within 4 months.
For employees with any additional undeclared income.
From the date that intention to make a disclosure is made to HMRC, payment must be made within 4 months.
Our team of tax investigations and disclosures professionals have considerable experience in assisting individuals through HMRC Campaigns, tax investigations and in making voluntary disclosures.
If you would like to discuss your tax position in complete confidence you can call us on 0113 387 5670 or fill out an Enquiry Form and we will get straight back to you.