16 December 2025
2025 in review: Under construction - Tax investigations
In Rachel Reeve’s Budget on 26 November 2025, the Chancellor set out plans, among other things a to tackle fraud within the Construction Industry Scheme (“CIS”) and announced a technical consultation “aimed at simplifying and improving the administration of the scheme”.
10 December 2025
HMRC’s strengthened reward scheme for whistleblowers of tax avoidance and evasion
The Chancellor has announced the terms of the financial incentive for those who report serious tax avoidance or evasion, the Strengthened Reward Scheme. Between 2023 and 2024, there is estimated to be a tax gap of £46.8 billion between the amount of tax recovered by HMRC and the amount of tax due to HMRC. With a minimum threshold of £1.5 million in unpaid tax, the scheme aims to address the tax gap by specifically targeting large-scale tax evasion by companies, wealthy individuals, and offshore or avoidance schemes.
10 December 2025
Under construction: Tax investigations
In Rachel Reeve’s Budget on 26 November 2025, the Chancellor set out plans, among other things a to tackle fraud within the Construction Industry Scheme (“CIS”) and announced a technical consultation “aimed at simplifying and improving the administration of the scheme”.
13 October 2025
UAE agrees to share crypto information with international tax authorities
The United Arab Emirates (“UAE”) has joined in global efforts to improve transparency and compliance in the crypto sector by signing the Multilateral Competent Authority Agreement (MCAA) under the Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework (CARF). The framework is expected to be rolled out in UAE in 2027, with the first automatic exchanges of information with other tax authorities such as HMRC taking place in 2028.
23 September 2025
HMRC Covid scheme amnesty: action by 31 December 2025
The COVID pandemic was a difficult time for businesses, and many legitimately relied on financial support provided through government schemes to help them to survive and retain employees. However, it is estimated by HMRC that circa £10billion was also lost as a result of incorrect applications and outright fraud.