Tackling VAT Fraud

Book excerpt: Traders may not pay the correct amount of Value Added Tax (VAT) for a number of reasons including error, deliberately understating their VAT liabilities or through systematic attacks on the VAT system, with an estimated £11.9 billion lost in VAT in 2002-03. Following on from the NAO's report (HCP 357, session 2003-04; ISBN 0102927375), the Committee's report examines the scale of losses; ways of preventing and detecting fraud and other non-compliance; and methods of investigating and dealing with fraudsters. Findings include: there is scope for greater data sharing with the Inland Revenue to detect traders who are evading VAT by operating in the shadow economy (likely to be improved with the creation of the new revenue department); data sharing with other member states is particularly important in tackling missing trader fraud; more investigations and prosecutions for all types of VAT fraud would be cost effective; and Customs should make greater use of sanctions against under-declarations by accountants, lawyers and tax advisers, whilst working with the business community and professional bodies concerned to agree criteria for reporting and the remedial action expected.