A fisherman from Kilkeel, Northern Ireland, who failed to pay more than £148,000 in tax and National Insurance contributions (NICs) due on self-employed earnings, has been given a prison sentence after an investigation by HMRC
HMRC found that over a seven year period from 2007 to 2014, Gary Dickinson had failed to declare earnings of more than £450,000 - profits he had made as a share fisherman.
A fishing-boat owner’s annual tax records showed that Dickinson had been employed as a crew member and his pay as a share fisherman had been recorded in the financial accounts. However Dickinson failed to declare this income to HMRC or submit any self assessment tax returns, evading £148,887 in income tax and NICs.
Steve Tracey, assistant director, fraud investigation service, HMRC, said: ‘Dickinson chose not to declare his income or pay tax and thought he could pocket the money, which should have been funding vital public services.’
Dickinson pleaded guilty to being knowingly concerned in the fraudulent evasion of income tax and NICs and was sentenced to 12 months in prison, suspended for two years when he appeared at Newry Crown Court.
