HMRC accused of helping bogus tax rebate fraud

HMRC has been accused of facilitating fraud by paying fictitious tax rebate claims submitted in the name of unwitting taxpayers by third-party agents.

- Anna Tims

Taxpayers can apply for a rebate if they have paid too much tax. They can choose to appoint an agent to do this on their behalf, but some firms are harvesting details of individuals to make bogus claims.

Tax relief scams by rogue claims companies have cost the Treasury billions since 2020, and inadequate checks mean that blameless taxpayers could face bills if claims in their name are later found to be fake. HM Revenue and Customs claws back invalid payments from individuals regardless of whether or not they received the rebate from an agent.

Jim Mackie, a former police officer and private investigator, says HMRC refused to investigate when his wife's details were used by a tax rebate firm to submit an invented claim worth £5,000 in her name last year. HMRC sent the full payment to Lancashirebased firm Waltonbridge, which purported to be her appointed agent.