HMRC’s My Tax Return Catch-Up campaign comes with a bite, says accountants James Cowper Kreston

HMRC has launched its latest clampdown on persistent tax evaders with its disarming-sounding My Tax Return Catch-Up campaign. But, warns accountants James Cowper Kreston, the campaign comes with real teeth.

The campaign is designed to target those individuals that have persistently failed to file annual tax returns and pay their tax bills on time.

Mark Herson, a Director in the Private Client Tax team at James Cowper Kreston said: “This campaign with its deliberately friendly sounding name echoes previous HMRC campaigns targeting those that persistently avoid or evade paying income tax.  It provides a window of opportunity in which to sort out your tax affairs on the best possible terms available from HMRC.  This window will close on 15 October.

“For those individuals who do not come forward, HMRC has real teeth to impose substantial fines and criminal prosecutions.  HMRC can, on top of charging penalties of £300 or five percent of the total tax bill, impose a daily penalty of £10.  In the continued absence of a filed tax return, HMRC can raise an assessment of tax due.  If the tax and penalties remain unpaid the debt can be referred to a debt collection agency.”

My Tax Return Catch-Up campaign is open to any individual that has received and failed to complete a tax return.  It does not apply to tax returns for the tax year ending April 2013.

To take part in this campaign, HMRC simply requires the individual to notify them of their intention via its website – http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/campaigns/mtrc.htm - complete and submit missing tax returns and pay what is due.

Mark adds: “It is entirely likely that those individuals that have not completed tax returns for whatever reason will have complicated or messy tax records and, as a result, have simply ignored the problem.  Our advice is to take this opportunity and update your tax affairs before HMRC takes a much tougher stance.  If you need help, approach a tax adviser or a reputable accountant.  HMRC knows who is not completing tax returns and is determined to stamp out tax evasion.”

Mark Herson, Director, James Cowper Kreston LLP, +44 (0)1865 861166 or email