Reporting someone to HMRC

[Crazybabylady14]

So I'm struggling to get a privately agreed child maintenance payment from my ex. He wants it private as he is a tax dodger and I can't go down the CMS route - I have proof of his tax evasion. If I notify HMRC what are the chances of getting anything? I'm struggling and he should be stepping up, he's not. He's living the life of Riley

I think it’s the right thing to do, and it should get HMRC more money, but I don’t see how it gets you more money.

This thread should be interesting...

@Crazybabylady14 dont know why you cant go down the cms route? mind you, if you have proof of tax evasion then you can hold it over his head for a decent sum of money!

I have this, cms can’t help as he is “on benefits” but he is earning on the side only I have no proof so have had to let it go. Closing my case not worth £7 a week. If you have proof then you have nothing to lose?

Why can't you go down the CMS route?

If he is avoiding tax he will not be declaring his income and no income no cms.

I would report his arse. Nothing to loose and when they catch up with him they willl make him pay it back and you can then go to the cms and they can base his payments on his real income.

Yes I think that’s the right thing to do. I have a friend who has evidence of her ex working whilst claiming to earn nothing and CMS aren’t interested. So sometimes you have to try HMRC.

Go for it. Wipe the floor with him.

Report filed. I don't expect anything but I don't think it's fair or right that someone has gone years earning every single penny and keeping it to themselves.

I do not for a second expect to gain from this but equally why should a man (or parent) walk away with nocumppence

And to answer the why can't I go via cms - he's a cash in hand worker and never declared a penny

Honestly, I don't think HMRC will do anything. They seem to randomly pick and choose who they investigate regardless of what they have been accused of, but good luck anyway

Sadly I agree. They do very few investigations these days and there’s no logic as to which cases they decide to pursue. No harm in reporting him, but don’t expect a quick response, if at all.

Why didn’t you use it as leverage to get a better deal from the ex, a threat?

All HMRC will do is maybe investigate his tax affairs.

The net result will be that he may get a fine and will then have even less money to pay you.

Trust me, almost anything can be written off as a business expense if you're clever enough. Most businesses on Companies House have an account balance of close to zero on their books when they file their returns.

I don't think it's fair or right that someone has gone years earning every single penny and keeping it to themselves.

If he's been doing it for years but it's only report-worthy now that he's an ex and you want CMS,, this is quite the sudden moral stance. Totally get why you'd want it sorting out so your DC gets some money, but a bit much to pretend it's about rightness when presumably you never reported him when you were together and benefiting from his tax evasion.

@pinkdelight I totally understand your comments about a sudden moral stance. However, and to try and give context but keep details as limited.

It was a fairly short relationship (in the grand scheme of life), during which he maintained he was an above board self employed businessman. It only came to light towards the end of our relationship that he was not above board, as it were.

I, and many others, gave him all the information and help to become 'legit'. Unfortunately you take a horse to water etc

As others have suggested, use the threat of reporting him to get him to pay towards his child - I've tried this and I have been ignored.

The crux of it is that he, willingly, (not that it matters or not), created a child. I am privileged to be mum. But he has to also have a form of responsibility. If I can't make him be responsible for his child I will do my best to make him responsible for his other actions. Is that wrong?

Go through CMS, then apply for a mandatory reconsideration. Failing that you can esculate it through the courts! He would have to explain to a judge what he is living off. Women should always have an open claim with CMS.