The first taskforces to tackle tax cheats in the rag trade and alcohol industry were launched on 19 November by HMRC.
The specialist taskforce teams will target those who do not pay the right amount of tax in:
* the rag trade in the Midlands, North Wales and North West, including manufacturing, wholesale, retail and textile recycling;
* the alcohol industry in Scotland, including Aberdeen and Inverness;
* the rental property sector in the South East;
They are expected to recover around £17 million.
David Gauke, the Exchequer Secretary, said:
“The vast majority of people play by the rules. We will not tolerate tax evasion and will crack down on the minority who choose to break the rules.
It cannot be fair that, while most people are paying the right tax, a tiny minority are not paying what they should.
HMRC is on target to collect more than £50 million as a result of taskforces launched in 2011-12.”