HMRC Urges Employees To Shop Their Bosses

by Jason Gorringe, Tax-News.com, London

26 February 2007

HM Revenue & Customs last week launched a new radio campaign urging workers who suspect their employer isn't paying tax and National Insurance to ring the Tax Evasion Hotline and report them.

HMRC's Director of Risk & Intelligence, Stuart Hartlib explained that:

"Employees can tell us about rogue employers who do not correctly apply and account for Pay As You Earn and National Insurance contributions. They are being cheated by their employer. If National Insurance contributions are not paid employees could lose out not only on their State Pension but also other workers' benefits such as incapacity benefit and contribution-based Jobseekers Allowance."

"If employers do not pay their fair share, they are cheating law-abiding employees out of what is rightfully theirs. Every employee should receive a payslip and a P60/P45 which indicate whether their tax and National Insurance is being correctly accounted for."

Mr Hartlib added:

"If you work for an employer who pays you cash in hand or you think your tax and National Insurance is not being paid, call the Tax Evasion hotline and we will do something about it. You do not need to leave your name and address. Remember, by paying National Insurance you are entitled to benefits - by allowing your employer to get away with it, you're being cheated."

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