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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Politics
Edward Siddons and Jon Ungoed-Thomas

HMRC investigations of wealthy ‘tax dodgers’ halve in five years

A HM Revenue and Customs sign on a pillar
Civil investigations by HMRC’s fraud unit fell from 1,417 in 2018-19 to 627 in 2022-23. Photograph: Peter Dazeley/Getty Images

The number of civil investigation cases opened by a HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) fraud unit investigating offshore, corporate and wealthy taxpayers has fallen by more than half in five years, figures reveal.

The Observer reported last month that HMRC has not charged a single company under landmark legislation to crack down on tax evasion. Campaigners warned that HMRC was undermining its own deterrents by failing to use its criminal enforcement powers.

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