Taxman given greater powers

The government has awarded tougher powers of search and seizure to tax inspectors and other Revenue & Customs staff.

But the use of the powers provided under the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act, which came into force in April, is limited to cases where their use has been sanctioned by the new Revenue & Customs Prosecution Office (RCPO).

The powers are now available for use by RCPO in respect of tax offences. They concern the serving of disclosure notices, obtaining material, conducting compulsory interviews and executing search warrants.