Recommendation 11

HMRC highlighted a more widespread problem with bogus registrations, where companies hijack taxpayers’ identities in an attempt to defraud HMRC.35 We have received written evidence on the time it takes for HMRC to resolve these cases and the distress this causes to those concerned.36 HMRC told us that Companies House has recently acquired new powers that will allow it to challenge information before it goes on its register as well as remove information. HMRC said that these changes will allow the entire system to better protect citizens from this type of fraud.37 30 HMRCSR004 Borderfree Trade Limited 31 Q 19 32 Q 19 33 Qq 16–17 34 Q 19 35 Q 18 36 HMRCSR0012 Hillier Hopkins LLP 37 Q 18 12 HMRC performance in 2022–23 2 Managing error and fraud, compliance and tax avoidance Off-payroll working