The UK’s goal to become a ‘science superpower’ is at risk as an increasing number of British firms move their R&D activity abroad, due in part to HMRC’s crackdown on fraudulent tax relief claims, a new report says.

https://www.cityam.com/uk-risks-losing-science-superpower-status-due-to-hmrc-crackdown-on-rd-tax-relief-fraud/

Ex-Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone has appeared in court ahead of his November trial for allegedly failing to declare more than £400 million in a trust in Singapore to the Government.

HM Revenue & Customs is closing down a taskforce set up to reclaim £4.5bn of Covid fraud after admitting the division was not good value for money.

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/money/other/covid-fraud-fighting-team-not-worth-the-money-says-hmrc/ar-AA16r0wj

Around 2,300 tax compliance staff – nearly a tenth of that workforce – were redeployed in 2021-22.

https://www.expressandstar.com/news/uk-news/2023/01/16/billions-in-tax-lost-as-hmrc-staff-transferred-to-brexit-and-covid-fraud/

A briefing paper on landfill tax fraud published on Friday (6 January) has highlighted a ‘tax gap’ of £125 million, as MPs prepare to debate the issue this week.

https://www.letsrecycle.com/news/scale-of-landfill-tax-gap-highlighted-as-mps-to-debate-fraud/

Two people in the West Midlands were arrested over fraudulent Covid loans totalling £1.8m. Police raided undisclosed addresses in connection with money laundering offences and multiple fraudulent ‘Bounce Back Loan’ applications.

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/newsbirmingham/almost-%C2%A32m-in-cash-and-jewellery-seized-in-covid-loan-fraud-raids-in-west-midlands/ar-AA16gohe

Commons committee says HMRC is missing 5% of the tax it is owed each year.

https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/taxman-has-failed-to-collect-an-eye-watering-ps42bn-say-mps_uk_63bd4805e4b0cbfd55ec6cc1

Darren Baker abused Bounce Back Loan scheme by taking £50,000 loan for his charity that it was not eligible for.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/coventry-artist-hit-with-7-year-ban-for-abusing-bounce-back-loan

The Financial Conduct Authority received 10 reports or complaints about furlough fraud regarding advice firms in the period up to October 2022.

https://www.ftadviser.com/fca/2023/01/06/fca-receives-10-potential-furlough-fraud-claims-against-advice-firms/

With HMRC more focused than ever before on recovering taxes due, we look at the most common ways in which HMRC can transfer the liability of taxes due and/or penalties to Company Officers and making them personally liable.

https://dwfgroup.com/en/news-and-insights/insights/2023/1/how-hmrc-penetrate-the-corporate-shield-and-hold-company-officers-personally-liable