§ Mr. Peter Robinsonasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much tax had been evaded by those caught for tax evasion in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years; and how much of this was recovered.
§ Mr. MooreStatistics are not kept in such a way as to provide a precise answer. The following tables give the best estimates available of the amounts of tax, interest and penalties charged in respect of tax evasion in Northern Ireland in the period in question.
Inland Revenue Taxes Year ended Approximate amount charged in respect of evasion £ 31 October 1979 3,470,000 31 October 1980 3,730,000 31 October 1981 4,670,000 31 October 1982 5,430,000 31 October 1983 8,170,000 The amount charged in one year might not be recovered until the next or a later year. It is estimated that approximately £3 million charged in respect of tax evasion in Northern Ireland had not yet been paid at 31 October 1983.
VAT Year ended Approximate amount charged in respect of evasion £ 31 March 1979 20,535 31 March 1980 47,466 31 March 1981 46,430 31 March 1982 101,419 31 March 1983 33,291 Statistics are not kept in such a way that precise figures can be given for the amount of the arrears that have been recovered. It is estimated that in nine out of ten cases the arrears are recovered in full.
Other Customs duties Year ended Approximate amount charged in respect of evasion £ 31 December 1979 53,407 31 December 1980 169,030 31 December 1981 397,240 31 December 1982 228,737 31 December 1983 325,712 The foregoing figures include very broad estimates for the amounts recovered in seizures or restorations.
The amount of tax included in the foregoing was recovered in full.
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§ Mr. Peter Robinsonasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many of those caught evading tax in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years were prosecuted; and in how many cases an out of court settlement was made.
§ Mr. MooreNot all the relevant statistics are available on a geographical basis, but the estimated numbers are as follows:
Year ended Prosecutions Financial settlements Inland Revenue (at 31 October) 1979 Nil 2,950 1980 Nil 2,270 1981 1 1,600 1982 2 2,080 1983 3 2,880 Year ended Prosecutions Out of court settlements VAT(at 31 March) 1979 1 4 1980 — 5 1981 — 10 1982 1 7 1983 1 3
Year ended Prosecutions Out of court settlements Seizures and restorations Other Customs duties (at 31 December) 1979 17 20 134 1980 16 8 208 1981 18 3 391 1982 21 — 253 1983 46 10 70
§ Mr. Peter Robinsonasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many cases of tax evasion have been uncovered in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years.
§ Mr. MooreNot every investigation results in evasion being uncovered. The only relevant statistics are therefore for concluded investigations in which evasion has been established. Not all the relevant figures are available on a geographical basis, but the estimated numbers are as follows.
Year ended Approximate number of investigations concluded in which evasion established Inland Revenue taxes 31 October 1979 2,950 31 October 1980 2,270 31 October 1981 1,600 31 October 1982 2,080 31 October 1983 2,880 VAT 31 March 1979 5 31 March 1980 5 31 March 1981 10 31 March 1982 8 31 March 1983 4 Other Customs duties 31 December 1979 171 31 December 1980 232 31 December 1981 412 31 December 1982 274 31 December 1983 126