by Caoimhinn Barr, Inishowen Independent
IRISH Revenue inspectors have swooped on a number of
Inishowen premises before questioning business
owners and staff members.
The crackdown is taking place against the backdrop
of revelations this week that a social welfare
inspector working in Inishowen was sent a bullet and
a threatening note in the post last Wednesday.
Meanwhile, the latest Revenue operation took place
in the Newtowncunningham area earlier this month and
was part of an ongoing official ‘Shadow Economy 2011
Project’ designed to catch out employers and workers
not paying tax or PRSI here.
It is understood that Customs officials are now
working closely with the Department of Social
Protection as part of the covert project to uncover
illegal workers also signing on the dole.
With other areas of the peninsula set to be targeted
in the coming weeks and months, a Revenue
spokesperson said the planned operation focused on
businesses, which deal largely in cash.
“Revenue work is underway on an ongoing basis
throughout the State. It forms part of our Shadow
Economy Projects for 2011. Our focus is on any
sector that has the ability to deal in cash. In our
experience one of the biggest risks is the
suppression of sales and under-declaration of income
and profits.”
The Revenue said it uses all available means,
including probing various financial accounts, to
track down those who continue to flout the law
regarding tax evasion.
“We use all the information sources available to us
to help identify and target the riskiest cases of
non-compliance across all sections of the economy.
Our risk analysis system (REAP) has multiple data
sources including information from deposit accounts,
credit union accounts and Suspicious Transaction
Reports.”
“In 2010 we added Taxi Regulator data, Private
Residential Tenancies Board data and data relating
to the second home tax. Data, and the analysis of
data is a key part of our strategy. We have enhanced
our e-audit capability and all auditors are now
equipped with software and training to enable them
to do an e-audit on a business's transactions and
records,” the spokesperson added.
The operation was also intended to snare those
‘doing the double’ by working and signing on the
dole every week.
“We work very closely with the Department of Social
Protection (DSP) and NERA in our shadow economy
work, and last year Joint Investigation Units made
nearly 5,800 checks, visits or inspections,” the
Revenue official concluded. |
