HMRC hires 100 more inspectors to monitor wealthy

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is to hire an additional 100 inspectors dedicated to making sure wealthy people pay enough tax.

The Affluent Compliance Team currently has 200 staff but is recruiting as its work expands. HMRC said in addition to taxpayers with an annual income of more than £150,000 and wealth of between £2.5m and £20m, the unit will also cover those with wealth in the range £1m to £2.5m. By the end of December the unit had brought in an extra £75m in tax - well ahead of expectations - with a target of £586m by the end of 2015. Exchequer secretary David Gauke said: "HMRC set up the new affluent teams from some of the £917m we made available in 2010. The team has made a great start by bringing...