Property searches increase as HMRC ramps up evasion crackdown

HM Revenue and Customs has more than doubled property searches from the previous year following a tax evasion crackdown.

Staff from HMRC conducted 499 searches in 2011/12, compared to 196 a year earlier.

The huge increase comes as the Revenue were given extra resources to combat tax evasion and avoidance - £917m over the previous year.

During 2011/12 tax year, HMRC also brought 545 charges for evasion and 413 convictions, a success rate of 92%.

HMRC say while the charges and conviction also relate to excise fraud, they are indicative of its success in tackling evasion and avoidance.

According to the estimates, the Revenue have clawed back approximately £940m as a result of the investigations.

A spokesman for HMRC said: “We have increased the number of properties we search to help deliver a fivefold increase in criminal prosecutions for tax evasion.”

Last month HMRC announced it would be sending out further tax evasion taskforces to target market stall holders in London, taxi firms in Yorkshire and the East Midlands, restaurants across the Midlands and property rental businesses in East Anglia, the Northeast, Yorkshire and across London.