Tax evasion has been a constant topic in the media for quite a while that now we understand what it is. The single legality element that differentiates it from the tax avoidance is a point which makes a whole lot of difference.

In February, when the news hit nationwide about the scandal involving Swiss banking operations of HSBC, M Revenue & Customs (HMRC) came under a lot of intense scrutiny. However, they defended by saying they didn’t had any strong evidence to prosecute in this case as stolen data were dirty.

Because of this, today HMRC not only focuses on the wealthy celebrities but all the people from different walks of life to show aggressive attitude towards the tax evaders.

As an aftermath of this scandal, Danny Alexander, Chief Secretary to the Treasury made an announcement regarding the tax evasion in March. According to it, the tax evaders and professionals who allow such evasion would face new criminal offences and higher penalties. Along with those charges, HMRC would publicly name and shame both the evaders and the ones who enables who enables such evasion.

For the clamp down on aggressive tax evaders, he had authorised over £1 billion of investment in HMRC. Because the both evaders and the ones who enables such evasion are partners in crime, the offences are very strict.

According to official stats, it is said that the result of this clampdown has led to more people to prison for committing crimes. Still, whether such crimes will be controlled or not or whether there will be change in their behaviour in the future, we will all know when the reports hit the news again.

With the powers that HMRC today holds, no one should think that they can get away by committing tax evasions.

Tax evasion is a very serious offence. So, if you have already committed such offence, you need to take help from professionals immediately to avoid any more serious trouble.