# The HMRC stealth powers to take your taxes 

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/the-hmrc-stealth-powers-to-take-your-taxes/
- Published: 2026-11-15T00:01:00+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-15T00:20:43+00:00
- Original publisher: City AM (publisher lean: Right)
- Original article: https://www.cityam.com/the-hmrc-stealth-powers-to-take-your-taxes/
- Topics: AI, Business, Technology

## Key points

- Proposed rules would require taxpayers to correct discovered errors.
- Deliberate penalties could reach 100 per cent of unpaid tax.
- HMRC could seek information about estates beyond four years.

## Summary

The article reports that proposals in the Finance Bill would expand HMRC’s powers to pursue tax errors and gather information, as the government seeks to reduce the tax gap without raising certain major taxes. The changes have prompted concerns from tax advisers about whether taxpayers and bereaved families would have enough safeguards and time to respond.

From April 2028, taxpayers who discover an error in an old return would have a legal duty to correct it; failing to take reasonable steps could lead HMRC to treat it as deliberate, with penalties of up to 100 per cent and a scrutiny window of up to 20 years. The proposals would also let HMRC seek information about a deceased person beyond the current four-year period, subject to tribunal approval, including for investigations reaching back 20 years. The article says the tax gap was estimated at nearly £60bn in 2024/25, while HMRC says people will not be penalised for innocent mistakes.

---
Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.