HMRC latest campaign targets tax dodging electricians

If you are one of the 50,000 electricians who finds an Electricians Tax Safe Plan (ETSP) letter from HMRC has arrived on your doormat, then you need to take urgent steps to make sure your tax affairs are in order. The Revenue is aiming their latest campaign is aimed at anyone who installs, maintains and tests electrical systems, equipment and appliances – and it covers any tax owed, for whatever reason.

If you read our news stories, you will already be aware that at CS Corporate Solutions we are dismayed at the way HMRC seems intent on scaring people into paying more tax rather than helping them to pay the right amount. But in this case HMRC are running an “intelligence led” campaign, so if they write to you here they think they know something about you. Whether what they know is right or wrong is another matter, but if you are an ETSP target you should assume they won't just go away.

A similar plumbers campaign was held last year, and the scare part of that story is that HMRC are making it known that it led to 10 arrests as well as “thousands” of investigations. But with a shake of the head, we point out that the plumbers campaign has raised HMRC £4m on top of a recent £10m from medics. So this is the sort of tactic HMRC will see as successful and that means we will see more of it in the future.

The common features of HMRC campaigns are that they give you a “fresh start” with your tax affairs, any tax liability goes back 6 years and no further, and penalties are restricted to 10-20% rather than a possible 100%. You can also expect to get perhaps a year to pay the arrears of tax that you agree are due.

If your industry is being targetted, it won't cost you as much to sort our your tax properly now as it would at other times – but whether you are a sparkie or not, we can help to get your tax affairs in order at the minimum cost to you. So don't delay phoning CS Corporate Solutions on 01569 760321 for advice on your tax and ETSP.