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Restaurant owners on the Isle of Wight who dodge tax are being warned about a new crackdown.
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) have launched a new taskforce to tackle those who don't pay the right amount of tax in restaurants.
According to HMRC, it follows intelligence that the Isle of Wight is a significant risk for tax evasion by restaurateurs.
Teams will visit traders to examine their records and carry out other investigations, with HMRC adding that they aim to recover more than £2.5m through the taskforce's activities.
David Gauke, the Exchequer Secretary, 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."
HMRC’s Mike Eland, Director General Enforcement and Compliance, said: "This 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. We are on target to collect more than £50 million as a result of taskforces launched in 2011/12."
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