HMRC have this week given publicity to their initial estimate of the VAT tax gap for 2012 - 13. This is their estimate of the amount of VAT that should have been paid if UK law had been complied with compared to the amount of VAT that was actually received by them in that year. This is what it looks like:
I will have a lot more to say on this issue shortly. Suffice for now to say that the VAT tax gap has increased and That cannot be down to changes in VAT rates on this occasion: this must be down to inadequate resources.
The simple fact is, you cannot sacks staff at HMRC without consequences. This increase in the VAT tax gap is one of them.
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Richard. Is this Report (dated 5 Dec last year) accompanied by any more HMRC info or briefing? I couldn’t see any in the link.
Apparently it was simply re-issued this week because HMRC changed its web address….or so they now tell me
On average a VAT officer in HMRC discovers at least £350,000 additional VAT due each year. In my office there are now 15 VAT Inspection officers – 10 years ago there were 30 of us – I think that demonstrates the sense of what Richard says.
Indeed……
Is there an HMRC source for that estimate?
I don’t think so – it is based on our team’s internal statistics which are not available in the public domain – though PCS may have some figures.
OK
Thanks