Three new campaigns are to be launched targeting tax evasion in the UK. The current round of HMRC’s campaigns against tax avoidance goes back to the Offshore Disclosure Facility (ODF) in 2007, that targeted taxpayers with unpaid taxes linked to offshore accounts or assets. HMRC’s approach since then has revolved around offering specific targeted campaigns rather than general tax amnesties. They have so far selected specific sectors including plumbers, taxpayers with off-shore accounts, restaurants, members of the medical profession and late VAT registration.

The new campaigns will focus on:

• Missing returns. This will initially target taxpayers who fail to complete tax returns and who are liable to pay tax at the highest rates.
• Home improvement trades. This campaign will target several 100,000 tradespeople in construction and building work such as roofing, window fitting, bricklaying, carpentry and joinery.
• Direct selling. This campaign will target customers who ought to be paying tax on income they earn from buying and selling goods direct to others, or from the commission on these sales.

HMRC use cutting-edge tools such as 'web robot' software to search the internet and find information about specified people and companies. This software, according to HMRC, helps identify previously hidden relationships, uncovering anomalies between elements such as bank interest, property income and lifestyle indicators before homing in on unexplained inconsistencies. Using the software HMRC can more accurately target taxpayers who have failed to pay the right amount of tax due.