HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), the Environment Agency and the police have jointly carried out early morning raids in the north-east of England and Yorkshire in connection with a probe into a suspected £78million landfill tax fraud. It is believed that 14 arrests have been made.
The names of the companies involved have not been released, but the HMRC has confirmed that it is looking into a "suspected systematic abuse of the landfill tax system".
Fraud investigation director at HMRC, Simon York said, "We believe that over £78m revenue may be involved, money which could be used to fund some of the UK’s most vital public services. No one is above paying their fair and legal share of tax, as the rest of us do, and we are closing in on those who try to cheat the system". He added, "HMRC, working with our law enforcement partners, will do everything within our power to catch those involved in tax fraud of any kind, and will push for the strongest punishments through the court.”
Landfill tax is a tax on waste that is disposed of at a permitted landfill site. Landfill site operators are responsible for paying this tax and the current rate is £82.60 per tonne.
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