Coventry Business Fined Over £500,000 in Tax Evasion

Astra Food Trading Ltd Faces Penalties from HMRC

A Coventry-based company, Astra Food Trading Ltd, has been penalized by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) for tax evasion amounting to over half a million pounds. The firm was recently listed among those who have deliberately avoided paying taxes during a specified timeframe.

Tax Evasion Details

Previously located on Canterbury Street in Coventry, Astra Food Trading was found to have evaded a total of £503,569 in taxes between December 2020 and November 2023. The company, which has since relocated to Waltham Cross, has been fined £202,686 as a result of HMRC’s investigations into tax evasion practices.

HMRC’s Enforcement Actions

HMRC has been actively investigating various businesses suspected of tax evasion and has imposed penalties on those failing to meet their tax obligations. Firms that have deliberately defaulted on tax payments exceeding £25,000 are publicly named to serve as a deterrent and to encourage compliance among others.

Other Companies Under Scrutiny

Several companies in Coventry, Birmingham, and the broader West Midlands region have also faced scrutiny from HMRC. Notable among them are Tenstar Personnel Limited, metaverse Recruitment Limited, and Allied Flooring. Tenstar Personnel, which was previously situated on Matlock Road in Coventry, owed £93,209 in taxes from April 2020 to April 2022 and has been ordered to repay £90,879.

HMRC’s Commitment to Compliance

Kevin Hubbard, the Director of Individuals and Small Business Compliance at HMRC, emphasized that while most individuals fulfill their tax responsibilities, the agency will take decisive action against those who do not. He stated that publishing the names of those penalized for tax defaults is part of a strategy to influence taxpayer behavior and encourage those in default to engage with HMRC.

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Disclaimer: This article is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Readers are encouraged to conduct their own research before making any investment decisions.