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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Politics
Phillip Inman

Billions lost from small retailers in tax evasion, says watchdog

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) logos seen on the authentic HMRC tax related letters.
HMRC estimated that small businesses accounted for 81% of the £5.5bn lost due to tax evasion in 2022-23. Photograph: Ascannio/Alamy

The UK is missing out on billions of pounds of revenue each year from small retail businesses that exploit weaknesses in government systems to evade paying tax, the public spending watchdog has warned.

The National Audit Office (NAO), which monitors tax and spending by the government, said the trail of tax debts left by small retailers was widespread and increasing every year.

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