http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,5-2526963.html
Tax inspectors are being offered bonuses to encourage them to collect more money from individuals and businesses, The Times has learnt.
In a move akin to the wage boosts given to traffic wardens who issue the most penalties, the bonuses paid out by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) are worth up to £2,000 for inspectors who meet their targets.
HMRC has also told its tax compliance teams across the country to increase the amount of unpaid tax that they recover by a quarter over the next year. The instruction came on the back of a separate set of targets published by HMRC. Under measures set out in the Public Service Agreement, an extra £11 billion in outstanding tax must be recovered by tax inspectors by 2008.
A former tax inspector, who did not wish to be named, told The Times that pressure to bring in more money inevitably would lead to inspectors seeking out more companies and individuals for investigation.
In a move akin to the wage boosts given to traffic wardens who issue the most penalties, the bonuses paid out by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) are worth up to £2,000 for inspectors who meet their targets.
HMRC has also told its tax compliance teams across the country to increase the amount of unpaid tax that they recover by a quarter over the next year. The instruction came on the back of a separate set of targets published by HMRC. Under measures set out in the Public Service Agreement, an extra £11 billion in outstanding tax must be recovered by tax inspectors by 2008.
A former tax inspector, who did not wish to be named, told The Times that pressure to bring in more money inevitably would lead to inspectors seeking out more companies and individuals for investigation.
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