HMRC bolsters award schemes for reporting tax fraud

16 Jul 2026

HMRC says it is making it easier for informants to report serious tax fraud and avoidance through the Strengthened Reward Scheme.

Informants may be eligible for a financial reward if the information they provide leads to HMRC recovering at least £1.5 million in unpaid tax.

The strengthened scheme encourages reporting of high-value tax fraud and avoidance and specifically targets serious non-compliance involving large companies, wealthy individuals, offshore structures and avoidance schemes. It is a significant expansion of the existing scheme for lower value reporting, which remains in place.

The tax authority has recorded a webinar and created a short explainer video to provide practical guidance on how to report tax wrongdoing and what information HMRC needs.

Subject to meeting eligibility criteria, informants could receive between 15% and 30% of the value of any additional tax collected by HMRC because of the information provided. These are awarded at HMRC's discretion and are not guaranteed. They will be paid once the tax has been collected and the matter resolved.

Andy Leggett, HMRC's Director of Risk and Intelligence Services, said: 'Tax fraud is a crime that cheats honest taxpayers and diverts money from vital public services. This scheme is designed to incentivise people to do the right thing, whether they are members of the public or industry professionals such as accountants and lawyers.

'Your report could make a meaningful difference.'