HMRC has collected £3 billion by forcing those under investigation for tax avoidance to pay up disputed tax immediately, the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, Jane Ellison, announced yesterday (05/09/2016).

The news continues the government clampdown on tax avoidance following last month’s announcement that enablers of tax avoidance will face tough new sanctions.

The 60,000 accelerated payment notices (APNs) issued since the new rules were introduced in 2014 have forced tax avoidance scheme users to pay up £3 billion of disputed tax upfront while their tax affairs are investigated by HMRC.

Under...