Tax evasion prosecutions double as HMRC eyes middle class

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) successfully prosecuted more than 600 people for tax evasion in 2012-13, more than double the amount in the previous 12 months and well ahead of its target for the year, figures show.

A total of 617 people faced criminal prosecutions in 2012-13, up from 302 in 2011-12 and well in excess of HMRC's target of 565 prosecutions for the year, according to figures obtained by law firm Pinsent Masons. Jason Collins, a partner with the company, said investigators are focusing more on middle class tax evaders than the super-rich. "There is a definite pick up in investigatory action against white collar businesspeople. HMRC's policy is clearly to use hard-line sanctions to help deter any wrongdoing. "These aren't necessarily individuals who owe hundreds of thousands of pou...