The latest tax fraudster to be given a jail sentence is a 49-year-old Wilmslow builder who deducted £114,000 tax from the sub-contractors he employed, but then simply kept it, rather than paying it over to the taxman.

Peter Jones had been registered under HMRC’s Construction Industry Scheme as PJD Cheshire Builders: of Wilmslow.  He engaged various jobbing sub-contractors on renovations and property developments. Jones de-registered from the CIS but continued to use sub-contractors for another five and a half years.  He deducted tax from the amounts he paid over to them, just as if he was still operating CIS, but in a simple tax fraud he didn’t pay it over to HM Revenue and Customs.

HMRC launched a criminal investigation culminating with Jones being charged on 9 counts with obtaining money by deception – including false representation contrary to sections 1, 2 and 3 of the Fraud Act 2006.  He pleaded guilty at Manchester Crown Court; where last week he was sentenced to 24 months (reduced by a third for the early guilty plea to 16 months) in custody.

What does this mean for me?
If you are worried about a potential tax prosecution or want to a make a disclosure (such as the Jersey Disclosure Opportunity) Lynam Tax Investigation experts can assist you.  We can help in: handling these difficult issues; advising you of the best course of action for you and your clients; and if necessary helping you obtain first-class legal advice.  All on a completely confidential basis.

For an initial free and discreet consultation call now:

Paul Lynam on: 0845 643 9997,

Or Andrew Nutbrown on 07718 778710