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HMRC Weighs US-Style Whistleblower Payouts With Announcement Expected at Budget

The reported scheme would target large-scale tax evasion, offering up to 30% of recovered sums to help shrink the £47bn tax gap.

Overview

  • Multiple UK outlets report that HMRC is preparing a programme that could pay informants up to 30% of recovered taxes in major cases.
  • Any formal unveiling is expected on 26 November, with the Treasury declining to comment on pre‑Budget speculation.
  • HMRC has consulted US agencies, including the Internal Revenue Service, which has paid $1.3bn to whistleblowers from $7.4bn recovered since 2007.
  • The initiative would focus on high‑value fraud and sit alongside existing UK schemes that paid a total of £852,438 last year despite record hotline reports.
  • Legal experts, including whistleblower specialists and prosecutors, say monetary rewards would strengthen enforcement and could attract tips from overseas.