Taxi Drivers back on HMRC’s radar!

Many taxi drivers find their customers through online apps such as Bolt, Uber, and Ola.

Did you know that under HMRC’s legal information gathering powers (SI 2012/847 reg 11C) they can ask for vast amounts of personal data from business intermediaries who enable or facilitate workers acting as self-employed businesses.

This includes anyone working and receiving commission and anyone working through online platforms.

Even the innocuous Avon lady, Body Shop agents selling their goods online, people operating furniture removal businesses via the online platform called ‘Anyvan’ and people receiving commission from pet insurance companies like PETPLAN, for promoting insurance policies, following their puppy and kitten sales, fall under this legal information gathering power and can fall foul of the taxman.

This power allows HMRC to request details of the drivers who have received payments through the relevant taxi booking app.

It appears HMRC has exercised this power recently, and as a result it has identified individuals who may have under-declared their income from driving taxis or private hire vehicles. We await the influx of tax investigations from this Revenue action.

Lindsay can help, call her today on 07879 464 577