HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has launched a taskforce to target tax evasion by London lawyers, as part of wider efforts to recover almost £20m for the public purse, reports Accountancy Age.

The legal profession in London has been selected as one of five high-risk industries targeted, including groceries and retail in north and south Wales; hair and beauty in the northeast; restaurants in the southeast and Solent; and the motor industry in Scotland. Roughly £3m is expected to come from the legal industry.

Michael Todd QC, chairman of the Bar, commented: "It is not, at present, clear to us exactly why the legal profession has been targeted by HMRC. Barristers provide an essential, front-line public service which is crucial to the smooth running of our country's excellent and world-renowned justice system. The law is one of the UK's strongest exports, and barristers and solicitors bring billions in revenue to the UK every year.

"The Bar Council expects barristers, like any other group of taxpayers, to meet their tax obligations.

"My predecessor, Peter Lodder QC, wrote to David Gauke MP last December, to invite him to discuss barristers' liability to pay taxes for work which has been done, but for which the fees had not been paid by the Government. He declined to meet us, and we were unaware, until yesterday, that HMRC had specific concerns about the tax affairs of lawyers.

"We are concerned that HMRC has chosen to proceed in this manner, rather than using the channels of communication with the relevant professional bodies, which have always been open. In future, we would welcome a greater level of engagement with HMRC, so that we can better assist it in carrying out its duties to the public."

The budget for the taskforces is part of the £917m earmarked by the Government to tackle tax avoidance and evasion, although it is not known what proportion of that budget the taskforces take up.

Compliance checks will be carried out, as well as announced and unannounced visits, while invasive investigations and potential criminal proceedings await those who continue to dodge their bills.

It is hoped news of the spot-checks will encourage offending parties from the target industries to come forward voluntarily to settle any outstanding liabilities.

HMRC director-general of enforcement and compliance Mike Eland said: "These 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 £50m as a result of taskforces launched in 2011-12."

Gary Ashford, head of tax investigations at RSM Tenon commented: "This approach has been used by HMRC for some time now and is considered highly effective. The latest target of London lawyers is likely to be highly controversial, but this is serious and some are bound to result in tax investigations, even including criminal actions."

Accountancy Age is an Incisive Media sister title of Legal Week.