HMRC fears big companies underpaid £35.8bn in tax last year

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Big companies underpaid £35.8bn in tax in Britain last year, HM Revenue & Customs fears

By Daily Mail City & Finance Reporter

Published: | Updated:


Big companies underpaid £35.8billion in tax last year, HM Revenue & Customs fears. 

This is a jump of £1billion on the previous year, according to analysis from law firm Pinsent Masons, and the sixth year in a row that the shortfall has increased. 

Scrutiny: Multinationals use several methods to artificially lower their UK tax bill

Multinationals use several methods to artificially lower their UK tax bill, such as classifying some employees as self-employed contractors. They also use transfer pricing – shifting costs and income across countries. 

Base erosion – shifting profits from UK sales to lower-tax countries – is also employed. 

Transfer pricing and base erosion account for more £9billion lost tax income. 

Steven Porter, at Pinsent Masons, said: ‘Multinationals underpaying tax is one of the biggest areas of concern for HMRC. The Large Business Directorate is particularly effective at bringing in underpaid tax it identifies.

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