Gary Turner, 47, has been jailed for 5 years following a VAT fraud investigation by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC)…
Gary Turner was a successful Yorkshire butcher with his concessions ‘Turner Butchers’ trading in local branched of supermarket Kwik Save. In 2006 trade began to slow for Turner and to fund an extravagant lifestyle he deceived his family and HMRC and used Turner Butchers to drain honest tax payers money through VAT Fraud.
Turner committed the VAT fraud through submitting fake invoices to HMRC and the submission of fictitious VAT repayment claims totalling amounts between £19,000 and £46,000. Turner later admitted to HMRC that ‘false’ claims had been made since his business activity was dormant in 2006.
The elaborate VAT fraud funded a luxury lifestyle for Turner which included several sports cars which all had private registration plates, remodelling of his family home and the purchase of a bungalow on the same street for his son, expensive fender electric guitars and Rolex watches said to be over £35,000.
The ex-butcher claimed that a counterfeit accountant had all of his paper work and provided HMRC investigators with fake business invoices – a move which backfired when Turner’s ‘so-called’ supplier, The Botswana Meat Commission, told HMRC that they had never heard of him.
HMRC Assistant Director for Criminal Investigation, Peter Hollier, said:
“Tax Fraud is a serious crime. Turner tried to play the system so he could live a life of luxury. He went to a great deal of effort to try to hide his lies but our investigators unravelled what he thought was a water-tight scam.”
£785,000 of Turner’s assets has already been held back by HMRC and proceedings are underway to recover criminal profits made by Turner.
Kevin Kinsella Jnr, of KinsellaTax, said:
“This guy deserves all he got, but when you consider he will be out of prison in two years maybe he might think it was worth it. Under The Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, HMRC will recover all its money don’t forget if you use “black money” and mixed it with money that is “honest money” then it does become contaminated and also subject to confiscation.”
A VAT fraud tax enquiry from HMRC is a very serious issue and should not be taken lightly.
As in the case of Gary Turner you could face criminal prosecution, or even worse, a prison sentence.
Don’t wait for HMRC to find you.
If you are worried about a VAT fraud enquiry, contact us before you contact HMRC.
KinsellaTax staff consists of ex-HM Inspectors of Taxes and ex-HM Custom and Excise Officers fully trained in all types of HMRC investigations.