Henry Smith, Crawley’s MP, has today welcomed a record breaking additional £23.9 billion tax revenue intake over the last year.  

The additional tax – the tax that HMRC secures as a result of its investigations, on top of the tax collected from those who pay their taxes on time – is up £3.2 billion on the previous year, up £9 billion on three years ago and nearly £1 billion above the target set at Autumn Statement 2013. 

More than £8 billion has been secured from large business, over £1 billion from criminals and £2.7 billion from tackling avoidance schemes in the courts. HMRC’s compliance activity has resulted in a number of tribunal wins, and also seen corporation tax and stamp duty land tax loopholes closed, protecting the Exchequer from tax going unpaid. 

Henry commented: 

“Today’s announcement shows that the Government supports the hardworking, honest majority of taxpayers that play by the rules, and that it’s determined to tackle the minority that seek to avoid paying the taxes they owe. 

“In the past 12 months, the Government has recovered almost £24 billion; £3 billion more than when it undertook a similar exercise last year and £9 billion more than three years ago.  

“As part of the Government’s long-term economic plan, it’s building an economy that rewards people who work hard and play by the rules.”