HMRC targets the fast food sector

HMRC have launched a new taskforce to target VAT fraud in London's fast food outlets. The launch of this taskforce follows the recent launch of taskforces to target the restaurant sector in London and other places in the UK. HMRC will be targeting fast food outlets suspected of deliberately keeping false records and misdeclaring their sales.

The new taskforce will be comprised of multiple teams from across HMRC including special investigations, local compliance and criminal investigation units.  The launch of the new taskforce is part of the Government’s £900m investment to tackle tax evasion, avoidance and fraud. HMRC aim to raise an additional £7bn each year by 2014/15 from this investment. This is the fourth taskforce launched by HMRC since May 2011.