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| Version 7 | Version 8 |
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| Companies raided over tax relief fraud allegations | Companies raided over tax relief fraud allegations |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Two of the companies raided by HMRC, Green Jellyfish and Kirby and Haslam, are located inside the Union Building in Norwich | Two of the companies raided by HMRC, Green Jellyfish and Kirby and Haslam, are located inside the Union Building in Norwich |
| Two of the companies raided by HMRC, Green Jellyfish and Kirby and Haslam, are located inside the Union Building in Norwich | Two of the companies raided by HMRC, Green Jellyfish and Kirby and Haslam, are located inside the Union Building in Norwich |
| Published7 hours ago | |
| Eleven people have been arrested at locations around the country on suspicion of tax relief fraud. | Eleven people have been arrested at locations around the country on suspicion of tax relief fraud. |
| It follows raids by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) officers at a number of premises on Tuesday. | It follows raids by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) officers at a number of premises on Tuesday. |
| The BBC understands warrants were executed in Norwich at the companies Green Jellyfish and Kirby and Haslam. | The BBC understands warrants were executed in Norwich at the companies Green Jellyfish and Kirby and Haslam. |
| Both companies said they had "nothing to hide". | Both companies said they had "nothing to hide". |
| According to HMRC, the arrests were part of a coordinated operation to tackle suspected abuse of the research and development (R&D) tax relief system. | According to HMRC, the arrests were part of a coordinated operation to tackle suspected abuse of the research and development (R&D) tax relief system. |
| This scheme is intended to support companies investing in innovative science and technology projects. | This scheme is intended to support companies investing in innovative science and technology projects. |
| A spokesman said a number of other individuals had been invited to attend an interview under caution. | A spokesman said a number of other individuals had been invited to attend an interview under caution. |
| They would not confirm the names of the businesses raided, stating: "We do not comment on identifiable taxpayers.” | They would not confirm the names of the businesses raided, stating: "We do not comment on identifiable taxpayers.” |
| An HMRC officer pictured outside Union House on the day warrants were executed | An HMRC officer pictured outside Union House on the day warrants were executed |
| An HMRC officer pictured outside Union House on the day warrants were executed | An HMRC officer pictured outside Union House on the day warrants were executed |
| One eyewitness in Norwich said they were stopped from entering the building by HMRC personnel and that officers were posted on each floor. | One eyewitness in Norwich said they were stopped from entering the building by HMRC personnel and that officers were posted on each floor. |
| "I walked in in the morning when I was greeted on the staircase," they said. | "I walked in in the morning when I was greeted on the staircase," they said. |
| The witness added: "They asked me: 'Who are you? Where do you work?' and told me that I couldn't go upstairs." | The witness added: "They asked me: 'Who are you? Where do you work?' and told me that I couldn't go upstairs." |
| "In the nicest way possible, they were like rats all over the building," they said. | "In the nicest way possible, they were like rats all over the building," they said. |
| Another described how they saw at least ten officers who had arrived at 07.30 BST and remained at the premises all day. | Another described how they saw at least ten officers who had arrived at 07.30 BST and remained at the premises all day. |
| Green Jellyfish and Kirby and Haslam are both located at the Union Building on Rose Lane in Norwich. | Green Jellyfish and Kirby and Haslam are both located at the Union Building on Rose Lane in Norwich. |
| The name Green Jellyfish is used by a number of companies registered at the same premises and one, Green Jellyfish Ltd, was formerly known as "Kirby and Haslam 1" before registering a change of name in 2023. | The name Green Jellyfish is used by a number of companies registered at the same premises and one, Green Jellyfish Ltd, was formerly known as "Kirby and Haslam 1" before registering a change of name in 2023. |
| Businessman Sotiris Christophi is listed as the person with significant control of Kirby and Haslam. | Businessman Sotiris Christophi is listed as the person with significant control of Kirby and Haslam. |
| He could not be reached personally for comment. | He could not be reached personally for comment. |
| 'We have nothing to hide' | 'We have nothing to hide' |
| Jonathan Smith, HMRC’s director responsible for agent compliance, said: “These arrests are just one small part of the comprehensive and wide-ranging action we’re taking to tackle suspected R&D fraud. | Jonathan Smith, HMRC’s director responsible for agent compliance, said: “These arrests are just one small part of the comprehensive and wide-ranging action we’re taking to tackle suspected R&D fraud. |
| “We are committed to supporting honest businesses, and their agents, to get the tax reliefs they’re entitled to. | “We are committed to supporting honest businesses, and their agents, to get the tax reliefs they’re entitled to. |
| "We urge anyone with information about any type of tax fraud to report it to HMRC online.” | "We urge anyone with information about any type of tax fraud to report it to HMRC online.” |
| Companies can reduce their tax bill or claim payable cash credits as a proportion of their R&D expenditure. | Companies can reduce their tax bill or claim payable cash credits as a proportion of their R&D expenditure. |
| A spokesman for Kirby and Haslam said: "We welcome the investigation from HMRC and understand they have to look into all claims made. | A spokesman for Kirby and Haslam said: "We welcome the investigation from HMRC and understand they have to look into all claims made. |
| "We have been and will continue to be fully cooperative as we have nothing to hide," they added. | "We have been and will continue to be fully cooperative as we have nothing to hide," they added. |
| Green Jellyfish said in a statement: "We understand that HMRC has a job to do, and we are fully cooperating and supporting them with the investigation, as we have nothing to hide". | Green Jellyfish said in a statement: "We understand that HMRC has a job to do, and we are fully cooperating and supporting them with the investigation, as we have nothing to hide". |
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| Related topics | Related topics |
| HM Revenue & Customs | HM Revenue & Customs |
| Norwich | Norwich |