Fiddling Notts Beautician Spared Jail

A beautician from Nottinghamshire cheated the taxman out of more than £30,000 – by lying about her income was found guilty and sentenced last week:  but managed to avoid going to prison.

Rebecca Eddishaw, a 30 year old beautician and mother-of-one from Farnsfield, under-declared her income from renting out two properties for 4 years, in order to get away without paying £13,797 in tax.  This also involved her in a false tax credits claim.  Between 2009 and 2013 she wrongly claimed a higher rate of tax credit: getting an undeserved £16,941.

Eddishaw was charged at Nottingham Magistrates Court with 3 offences:

  • Knowingly concerned in the fraudulent evasion of income tax by failing to declare rental income in tax returns to HMRC;
  • Knowingly concerned in fraudulent activity undertaken with a view to obtain payment of Tax Credit by failing to declare rental income;
  • Knowingly concerned in fraudulent activity undertaken with a view to obtain payment of Tax Credit by failing to declare a change in circumstances

She was found guilty of all charges but was then given a light ticking off: her 18-month prison sentence was suspended for 18 months (meaning she doesn’t have to serve any time in prison) and she also has to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work.

How Could Lynam Tax Enquiry Experts Help Me?
Lynam Tax Enquiry Experts have a vast amount of practical experience in managing serious tax fraud investigations.  If you are worried about a tax enquiry we can advise you on the best course of action.  If appropriate, we can help you manage any necessary disclosures.  If you are facing criminal charges we can help you obtain first class legal representation, in order to obtain the optimum outcome for you, your business and your family.

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