Ilyas Patel Accountants in Preston
Ilyas Patel Accountants in Preston
In a recent sweep, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) set its sights on the burgeoning issue of electronic till fraud in the takeaway and restaurant industry.
Over the past month, HMRC officers have made unannounced visits to 24 hot food takeaways and restaurants in the Scottish capital, as well as in London, St Helens, and Stoke, marking a significant step in their ongoing efforts to combat tax evasion.
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At the heart of HMRC’s crackdown lies a concerning trend: the use of electronic sales suppression (ESS) tools.
These sophisticated software or devices are ingeniously designed to tamper with electronic point-of-sale records.
By underreporting sales, businesses using these tools are effectively sidestepping their tax responsibilities, diverting funds that are crucial for sustaining public services.
Marc Gill, HMRC’s Director of Individuals and Small Business Compliance, sends a clear message: ESS tools might offer a guise of legitimate trading, but they’re essentially gateways to tax theft.
HMRC is armed with advanced methods to detect such fraud, and those found guilty of using, creating, or promoting ESS face hefty fines—up to £50,000—or even criminal prosecution.
Businesses caught in this web are encouraged to step forward and disclose their activities voluntarily on the gov.uk portal. Prompt action could mean reduced penalties.
ESS tools, which can be hardware or cloud-based, offer various ways to understate income.
Sales might be recorded as usual, but these systems allow for manipulation of records, such as deleting sales and linking them to payment platforms, both domestic and offshore.
To unearth ESS practices, HMRC doesn’t just rely on surface-level checks.
They delve deeper, employing third-party information like bank accounts and transaction data from online platforms.
This thorough approach ensures a comprehensive comparison against declared sales.
In addition to a voluntary disclosure option, HMRC also invites public participation.
They welcome information regarding ESS or any form of tax fraud, providing an online platform for individuals to report suspicious activities.
This operation serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing battle against tax fraud.
It’s a call to action for businesses to align with legal standards and contribute fairly to the economy.
Contact us today at 01772 788200 to find out more about how we can help, or WhatsApp us out-of-hours at 07787 010190.
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Ilyas Patel