A specialist team of HM Revenue & Customs inspectors are giving medical professionals with undisclosed tax liabilities the opportunity to come forward and settle their affairs.
Marc Bennett of tax consultants AEL Partners said that a three-month amnesty had been announced to enable any medical professional to volunteer undeclared earnings in return for reduced penalties being levied, with the deadline expiring on March 31.
'The current Revenue campaign is not thought to specifically include opticians at present. However, AEL Partners are strongly advising all higher rate taxpayers who either run opticians practices or are professional locums to ensure their tax affairs are in order as soon as possible.'
Bennett added: 'We have seen a marked increase in the number of new enquiries from concerned opticians up and down the country who have been sent notice of a Revenue investigation into their affairs. If an enquiry notice is received from HMRC, then we strongly recommend that specialist advice is sought at the earliest opportunity.'
Fiona Fernie, tax investigations partner at BDO LLP, said: 'We understand that HMRC has details of over 800 medical consultants with potential tax problems, who will be investigated if they do not come forward voluntarily.'
