HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has anounced that in February 2012 it will be targeting electricians and electrical fitters with a new Electrician's Tax Safe Plan (ETSP) campaign, giving them an opportunity to declare unpaid tax.
Under the plan, electricians who may not have declared all of their income for one reason or another are encouraged to come forward and self confess. Volunteering to come forward rather than being found out often means they will be treated more leniently and penalties can be significantly reduced.
HMRC often rely on information from both internal and external sources to highlight those whose income may not be inline with information they hold.
The ETSP will follow on from the Plumber's Tax Safe Plan held during 2011, which led to the arrest of five plumbers and civil investigations into 600 more. Under the Plumber's Tax Safe Plan HMRC relied on information from Corgi records.
The plan will only be available for a limited period, therefore anyone who thinks they have a declaration to make should seek professional advice to help determine their best course of action.
HMRC are also planning to launch a campaign in the spring aimed at those who utilise an e-marketplace to buy and sell goods as a trade or business and do not declare the activity for tax purposes.