Tax-dodging London lawyers are to be targeted by HMRC as it launches its latest taskforce to bring to heel those trying to evade their fiscal obligations.

The legal eagles are among five high-risk sectors being tackled across the UK by specialist task forces that plan to net £19.5m from their tax probes. The teams typically focus on groups of up 300 in each sector, and examine records and carry out other investigations.

HMRC says it expects its latest assault on non-payers to recover more than £19.5m. Other sectors set to feel the wrath of the taxman's latest probe include grocery and retail outlets in Wales, the North West and the South West; hair and beauty in the north east; restaurants in the south east and Solent and the motor trade in Scotland.

Two years ago, a campaign that examined evasion among doctors and dentists raised £10m for the Treasury's coffers from voluntary disclosures, and a further £3.1m from additional probes using information acquired from insurance companies and elsewhere.

Since May 2011, HMRC has launched 30 taskforces focused on groups including electricians, private tutors and e-traders which are expected to raise a total of £50m.

Gary Ashford, who represents the CIOT on HMRC's Compliance Reform Forum, said: 'The range of groups targeted in this latest announcement shows how widely HMRC are casting their net - from high street barbers to high court barristers.

'The use of a taskforce tells us that HMRC have evidence of evasion in the sector that they are targeting. Lawyers are the first professional group to be covered by a taskforce. [Previously doctors and dentists, and tutors and coaches have been covered by disclosure campaigns.]'

Exchequer secretary, David Gauke, said: 'We have made it clear that we will not tolerate tax evasion and we are determined to crack down on the minority who choose to break the rules. Everyone needs to pay the taxes they owe in full. It is not fair that at a time when most hard-working people are paying the right tax, others are trying to get out of paying what they should.'

The taskforces were created as a direct result of the government's £917m spending review investment to tackle tax evasion, avoidance and fraud from 2011/12. HMRC aims to raise an additional £7bn every year by 2014/15.

Mike Eland, HMRC director general enforcement and compliance, said: 'These taskforces bring together specialists from across HMRC to find people who are not paying what they should. If you have paid all your taxes you have nothing to worry about. But for those deliberately evading tax, be warned that HMRC is coming after you.

'This is not an empty threat - HMRC can and will track you down if you choose to break the rules.'