A Jaguar Land Rover worker involved in a £70,000 income tax fraud claimed that “everyone else” at the firm was supposedly participating in a similar scheme. Andrew Bell, aged 56, registered for self-assessment with HMRC and claimed business expenses when he was not eligible to do so. According to Birmingham Live, he referred to the scheme as ‘Tommy’s Tax’. The manufacturing giant has denied that it was a widespread issue within the workforce, stating that only ‘a small number of employees acted on independent third-party tax advice’. The company confirmed that an internal investigation is ongoing.
Bell, from Solihull, admitted to being knowingly concerned in the evasion of income tax between October 2020 and May 2023. Despite this, he was spared jail at Birmingham Crown Court on Tuesday. The judge ruled that what society needed more than anything was for Bell to repay the money he defrauded. Bell was sentenced to 22 months, suspended for 18 months, and ordered to carry out 20 days of rehabilitation activity and 150 hours of unpaid work.
Prosecutor Lachlan Stewart revealed that Bell fraudulently asserted to HMRC in an income self-assessment that he was incurring business expenses he was not entitled to claim. He submitted four forms in which he lied about expenses, resulting in a £50,676.07 rebate and the evasion of £19,459.80 worth of income tax in 2021 and 2022. Despite HMRC reaching out to Bell regarding the discrepancies and a potential criminal investigation, Bell failed to respond promptly.
Bell eventually admitted to being part of a tax return scheme that other Jaguar Land Rover employees had engaged in. His defence lawyer, Jonathan Duffy, acknowledged that Bell was caught up in this scheme, known as ‘Tommy’s Tax’, facilitated by a financial advisor encouraging employees to commit fraud. Duffy highlighted that Bell was a married father-of-five who had faced several bereavements and significant personal challenges during the period of offending.
In her sentencing, Judge Laura Hobson emphasized that while others may have been involved, it did not justify Bell’s actions. She noted that his motive was pure greed and that he made a conscious choice to defraud the public purse. Judge Hobson acknowledged Bell’s personal struggles but highlighted the impact of his actions, especially during a time of financial strain due to the pandemic. Ultimately, she decided not to send Bell to prison but instead ordered him to repay the defrauded amount.
Jaguar Land Rover issued a statement acknowledging the issue with a small number of employees acting on third-party tax advice and confirmed an ongoing internal investigation. HMRC has been approached for further comment on the matter. Stay updated with the latest news from Scotland and beyond by signing up for our daily newsletter.