Around 1,200 HM Revenue & Customs investigations each year could qualify for enhanced payments under its new whistleblower reward scheme, according to Pinsent Masons.
Data provided by HMRC to the law firm showed that more than 1,200 investigations last year recovered enough unpaid tax to potentially meet the criteria for the Strengthened Reward Scheme.
The scheme, which came into effect on 26 November 2025, allows whistleblowers to receive between 15% and 30% of tax recovered where their information helps HMRC collect at least 1.5m.
Investigations producing returns of that size are likely to involve large companies, wealthy individuals or tax avoidance arrangements.
Pinsent Masons said the prospect of significant payments could increase both the number and quality of reports submitted to HMRC, particularly from employees with access to internal company information.
Hinesh Shah, partner at Pinsent Masons, said: “Once publicity spreads and it is clear that substantial financial rewards are being given out, there will be a noticeable increase in the quality and quantity of whistleblower evidence being provided to HMRC.”
He warned large businesses to ensure their tax affairs and internal reporting arrangements were in order.
“If you are a corporate, you should also make sure that all your own internal whistleblowing systems work properly and that your staff trust your whistleblower system.
“Often insiders only report malpractice to outside agencies, like HMRC, once they...
To display this content from YouTube, you must enable advertisement tracking and audience measurement. 2 min After a monthlong lull in hostilities, the United States launched fresh airstrikes on I...