Tiler convicted of VAT fraud

James Burton, who runs a tiling business in Northampton, submitted VAT returns with inflated payments on materials between March 2014 and March 2018. He pocketed repayments he was not entitled to.

He was given the chance to come clean about his tax affairs to avoid criminal investigation. But the 45-year-old ignored all contact from HM Revenue & Customs and claimed a letter sent to him, which had been signed for, had been lost in a drawer.

HMRC checks raised concerns over his VAT returns and he was offered the chance to correct them and pay what was owed plus a penalty through a civil contractual disclosure facility (CDF), known as COP9.

Burton only contacted HMRC three months after the offer period had expired.

The case was referred for criminal investigation in December 2019 and he admitted five counts of tax fraud at Northampton Crown Court on 13th June 2022. He was sentenced to two years in prison, suspended for two years, at the same court on 9th August 2023.

Nick Stone, operational lead in HMRC’s fraud investigation service said: “James Burton had the chance to do the right thing and put his tax affairs in order but has shown a disregard for the vast majority who pay what they owe.

“We want to help people get their taxes right and can offer people the chance to make full, open, and honest disclosures. If you engage in the process but lie you will also face prosecution. The consequences of not engaging are clear and they should be to others who are offered this opportunity.”

Confiscation proceedings to recover the stolen money is now under way.

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