Middle class tax evaders face new crackdown by prosecutors
MIDDLE CLASS tax evaders are more likely to be prosecuted under plans unveiled last night by the boss of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).
“Tax evasion has to be dealt with robustly all the time,” said Keir Starmer, director of public prosecutions. “But in a recession, when ordinary law abiding taxpayers are suffering real hardship, the need to deter, detect and prosecute those who evade tax is greater than ever.”
Starmer said he wants to combat the perception that tax evasion is victimless crime and increase the number of prosecutions fivefold, hitting at least 7,500 a year by 2015.
People who may now face criminal proceedings include buy-to-let landlords who fail to declare rental income and professionals who channel money to illegal overseas tax avoidance schemes.