Top of the list of 145 tax evaders was JBK Constructions, which failed to pay £4.7m in tax and was given a penalty of £3.3m. The company, based in Peterborough, deals in residential construction and owes the tax over a two month period from 29 February 2022 to 30 April 2022. The company was also incorporated on 28 February 2022. There was a compulsory strike off on 16 May 2023, which was discontinued one day later.

In total, the 145 individuals and companies named on HMRC’s deliberate defaulters list owed a staggering £27.7m, up from £20.3m in quarter 4 last year, and total penalties amounted to £20.8m, up 25% from £16.3m.

One of the worst offenders on the list was a bankrupt umbrella payroll agency called L&S Accounting Firm Umbrella Ltd, based in Bedford, which is now in the process of liquidation.  HMRC said the company owed £3,608,419 in unpaid tax between 1 February 2017 and 31 July 2019. As a result, the firm received a penalty charge of £2,074,840, the third highest amount on the list.