Policy paper

Doubling the maximum prison term for the most egregious examples of tax fraud

Updated 22 November 2023

Who is likely to be affected

Individuals convicted of the most egregious examples of tax fraud.

General description of the measure

The government will double the maximum prison term from 7 to 14 years for individuals convicted of the most egregious examples of tax fraud. 

Policy objective

This measure demonstrates the government’s intent to crack down on tax fraud and deter criminal actions, which reduce the amount of money available to fund vital public services. This is part of a wider package of measures seeking to discourage egregious tax behaviour.

Background to the measure

As announced at Spring Budget 2023, the government will amend the maximum sentences that can be given to individuals convicted of serious tax fraud from 7 to 14 years.

Detailed proposal

Operative date

The measure will have effect on and after the date of Royal Assent to Finance Bill 2023-24 for all taxes and duties administered by HMRC, except for the fraudulent evasion of National Insurance contributions (NICs) which will be amended through a future NICs Bill.

Current law

The table below lists the offences where the maximum sentence for tax fraud is seven years.

Offence Provision
Fraudulent evasion of agricultural levy Section 68A Customs and Excise Management Act 1979
Fraudulent evasion of duty payable on goods Section 170(1) and (2) Customs and Excise Management Act 1979
Offence of taking preparatory steps for evasion of excise duty Section 170B Customs and Excise Management Act 1979
Fraudulent evasion of VAT Section 72(1) Value Added Tax Act 1994
Fraudulent evasion of income tax Section 106A Taxes Management Act 1970
Fraudulent evasion of machine games duty Paragraph 37 of schedule 24 to the Finance Act 2012
Fraudulent evasion of air passenger duty Section 41 Finance Act 1994
Fraudulent evasion of insurance premium tax Schedule 7, paragraphs 9 and 10 Finance Act 1994
Fraudulent evasion of landfill tax Schedule 5, paragraphs 15 and 16 Finance Act 1996
Fraudulent evasion of aggregates levy Section 28 and schedule 6, paragraph 1 of Finance Act 2001
Fraudulent evasion of climate change levy Schedule 6, paragraph 92 Finance Act 2000
Fraudulent evasion of stamp duty land tax Section 95 of Finance Act 2003
Fraudulent evasion of general betting duty, pool betting duty or remote gaming duty Section 174 of Finance Act 2014
Fraudulent evasion of lottery duty Section 31(1) Finance Act 1993
Fraudulent evasion of bingo duty Schedule 3, paragraph 16(1) Betting and Gaming Duties Act 1981
Fraudulent evasion of gaming duty Schedule 1, paragraph 12 Finance Act 1997
Fraudulent evasion of soft drinks industry levy Section 50 Finance Act 2017
Improper importation of goods with intent to defraud Section 50 Customs and Excise Management Act 1979
Goods of which entry is required are shipped for exportation before entry has been delivered and accepted, where the shipping or making waterborne is done with fraudulent intent Section 53(9) Customs and Excise Management Act 1979
Goods taken onboard a ship with fraudulent intent Section 63(6) Customs and Excise Management Act 1979
Exportation of prohibited/restricted goods with intent to evade that prohibition/restriction Section 68 Customs and Excise Management Act 1979
Taking, removing, loading or concealing any mentioned goods with intent to defraud of any duty Section 100 Customs and Excise Management Act 1979
With intent to defraud a person obtains any amount by way of drawback, allowance, remission or repayment of, or any rebate from, any duty Section 136 Customs and Excise Management Act 1979
Imported goods are removed by a person with intent to defraud Section 159 Customs and Excise Management Act 1979
Restrictions on the use of duty-free oil Section 10(7) Hydrocarbon Oil Duties Act 1979
Use of heavy oil in contravention of certain restrictions Section 13(5) Hydrocarbon Oil Duties Act 1979
Use of rebated kerosene in contravention of certain restrictions Section 13AB(7) Hydrocarbon Oil Duties Act 1979
Use of light oil in contravention of certain restrictions Section 14(8) Hydrocarbon Oil Duties Act 1979
Use of biodiesel or bioblend in contravention of certain restrictions Section 14D(5) Hydrocarbon Oil Duties Act 1979
Use of restricted fuel for private pleasure craft in contravention of certain restrictions Section 14F(3) Hydrocarbon Oil Duties Act 1979
Mixing of aqua methanol with other substances Section 20AAC(4) Hydrocarbon Oil Duties Act 1979
Use of marked oil in contravention of certain restrictions Section 24A(6) Hydrocarbon Oil Duties Act 1979
Relieved goods used in breach of condition with intent to evade the payment of tax/duty Section 13C(4) Customs and Excise Duties (General Reliefs) Act 1979
Fraudulent evasion of plastic packaging tax Section 77 Finance Act 2021
Plastic packaging tax — misstatements Section 78 Finance Act 2021
Plastic packaging tax — conduct involving evasion or misstatements Section 79 Finance Act 2021
Improper importation of goods enhancements for forgery & counterfeiting and nuclear material Section 50 (5AA) (5C) Customs and Excise Management Act 1979
Exportation of prohibited or restricted goods enhancements for forgery & counterfeiting and nuclear material Section 68 (4AA) (4B) Customs and Excise Management Act 1979
Fraudulent evasion of duty enhancements for forgery & counterfeiting and nuclear material Section 170 (4AA) (4C) Customs and Excise Management Act 1979

Proposed revisions

The sentences above, which currently carrying a maximum sentence of 7 years, will be increased to 14 years.

The offence of counterfeiting contained within the above table under CEMA 1979 Sections 50, 68 and 170 currently increases the maximum penalty from 7 years to 10 years. This will also move to 14 years.

Summary of impacts

Exchequer impact (£ million)

2023 to 2024 2024 to 2025 2025 to 2026 2026 to 2027 2027 to 2028 2028 to 2029
Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil

This measure is not expected to have an Exchequer impact.

Economic impact

This measure is not expected to have any significant economic impacts.

Impact on individuals, households and families

This measure is not expected to impact on family formation, stability or breakdown.

Equalities impacts

It is not anticipated that there will be impacts on those in groups sharing protected characteristics.

Impact on business including civil society organisations

There is no expected impact on businesses and civil society organisations as this measure only affects individuals.

Operational impact (£ million) (HMRC or other)

There are no operational and delivery impacts with this change, as the measure increases existing penalties which are currently in operation. There may be increased prison costs associated with longer sentencing if imposed by Sentencing Council.

Other impacts

Other impacts have been considered and none have been identified.

Monitoring and evaluation

This measure will be monitored through monitoring of the length and number of prison sentences given to individuals charged with the most egregious examples of tax fraud. None of the evaluation principles apply.

Further advice

If you have any questions about this change, please contact Ben Reed on Telephone:03000 547236 or email: [email protected].