Taxman turns to YouTube to target tax-avoiders

by Becky Charles, marketingmagazine.co.uk 02-Nov-09, 08:39

LONDON - HM Revenue & Customs is using YouTube for the first time to warn people about 'fiddling' their taxes.

Dave Hartnett, HM Revenue & Customs' permanent secretary for tax, fronts the video, which is intended to put pressure on those who have not declared their offshore accounts or assets.

The department has previously used TV campaigns to promote its message, but is exploring the use of social media for the first time as a way to reach a wider audience.

The clip urges savers to take advantage of HMRC's tax amnesty, which launched in July and limits the penalties for those who notify the Revenue of any offshore interests by 30 November.