How do revenue follow up on tax evasion info

CandyButcher

Hello,

Thinking of reporting a builder who did 2 extension jobs for cash, I am almost sure he dont pay vat on it. but I dont want him to know it was me.

I got a build done from him before all the proof I have is lots of watsapp pics stating I owe him 40/30/20 etc.. pictures of progress of the build.

Im just wondering if I gave this info to revenue, do they state to the evader they got information about them and the details such as extension etc and how much ??? Which will make it obv it was me if he only did 2/3 extensions.

would the proof I mentioned even be enough to prosecute ?

Citizen2011

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058315242/how-do-revenue-follow-up-on-tax-evasion-info

I would say they don’t in a lot of cases.

oceanman

almost sure? or sure.

Were you happy paying the lower fee and now you want to report him?

Why didn't you ask for a VAT invoice at the time if you were so concerned?

CandyButcher

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121152100#Comment_121152100

Not sure about lower fee seemed the going rate to me. Never thought of asking for that nor a contract at that matter, out of naivity

If you're happy with the work that was done why feel the need to report this individual?

K-9

https://www.revenue.ie/en/corporate/assist-us/reporting-shadow-economy-activity/reporting.aspx

There is an online report section where it states the information will be treated confidentially, Revenue may ask you for more information.

Whether you should or not, well that's a different question.

con747

Some people have little to do. You got a cash in hand job done, you were obviously happy with the work. Now you want to stab the builder in the back.

realdanbreen

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058315242/how-do-revenue-follow-up-on-tax-evasion-info

Why do you want to do this?

Ginger83

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058315242/how-do-revenue-follow-up-on-tax-evasion-info

You can still ask for an invoice and receipt now.

K-9

Sorry, they could probably do a quick check on his VAT returns to see if it looks like he returned them, but the information is very limited. They might then select him for audit. I'm sure they'd then look to make sure your work is included in the calculations, also was the money lodged to a bank account.

If he only did a couple of jobs off the books, it may look a bit obvious if they ask about jobs around the time of your work.

mickdw

He didn't charge you vat so you can be certain he did not pay vat to revenue. It's illegal yes but you.can pretend you were not aware or whatever but you knew by paying a builder cash, you were facilitating his tax evasion and availing of a cheaper job for yourself.

Jim_Hodge

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121152344#Comment_121152344

He doesn't even know if it was a cash in hand job. There's more to this...

mazdamiatamx5

Words fail me.

Ginger83

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121152376#Comment_121152376

If it was a cash job and he agreed to it that's different. I've had small jobs done without receipts. Not a problem.

I did however have a large job done through a council grant. I was specifically told to pick a registered builder for vat purposes. The builder was aware from the start it was a grant and the quotation detailed costs and vat.

When finished we paid and asked for paperwork to reclaim vat. Some replies were: You didn't pay vat. The vat is not reclaimable. You're not working so you can't reclaim it. I'll have to talk to the accountant and get back to you.

In the end after over two years the builder admitted to my wife he never declared the job and tried to get her to claim vat back on someone elses job. I refused and said that I was taking it up with Revenue. Twenty minutes later the builder was at my door. He threw an invoice at us like we were the ones in the wrong and told us he had just lost 13% on our job.

Jim_Hodge

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121152572#Comment_121152572

And so what? What has that to do with the OP? He said he didn't know. So he's looking to report the builder for some other motive.

Ginger83

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121152588#Comment_121152588

My point is if the OP agreed to a cash job it's poor form reporting it.

If it wasn't a cash job I'd be asking for my receipts.

delusiondestroyer

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058315242/how-do-revenue-follow-up-on-tax-evasion-info

You'd be putting a fair amount of hardship on someone for nothing if they didnt do you wrong, I wouldnt do it anyway let the revenue do there own work.

con747

I thought I saw the OP post in another thread about an underfloor heating leak issue and just found the thread there. There was a builder with their own plumber hired to do work and also another plumber who did some work or similar for the OP who were blaming each other for the fault. So that is the motivation for reporting to revenue instead of just getting both parties to sort the issue out.

CandyButcher

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121152637#Comment_121152637

No no no. It was a botched job! And the way he wont take responsibility is shocking. So no bad form here, you can all stop feeling sorry for this guy now.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121152773#Comment_121152773

You took the risk when you paid him cash, knowing you were getting a lower price, which you were clearly happy to do. Does he have insurance? Go that route before snitching to Revenue.

CandyButcher

Hi Con747,

What if they dont want to sort it out and leave me stuck. Not worth running the risk in taking them to court at best win a case and cant recoop anything as they dont own property.

con747

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121152773#Comment_121152773

Have you actually found out who was responsible for the leak? You had 2 plumbers both blaming each other for the issue. Maybe find that out before going to revenue.

CandyButcher

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121152814#Comment_121152814

Am I not right in saying that the builder is responsible for over seeing the sub contractors on an extension ? Was it not supposed to be tested before concrete was poured over the pipes.. Considering everything was working before the extension started.

con747

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121152835#Comment_121152835

You're own words from the other thread "there were two plumbers involved in the extension" "both plumbers who were involved in the extension are blaming each other. The builder is trying to distance himself from this now blaming one of the plumbers." Find out who is to blame before you do anything.

Jim2007

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058315242/how-do-revenue-follow-up-on-tax-evasion-info

Tax evasion is a legal matter and all cases require specificity. So yes they will have to say which projects he carried without accounting for tax on them.

Ginger83

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121152773#Comment_121152773

If it was a botched job with breaches of building regulations your first step if the builder won't rectify is to contact the building control authority in your county and ask for an inspection of the work. This is how my problems were fixed although it was the council that resolved it and not the builder in my case.

Jim_Hodge

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121152807#Comment_121152807

So you'll raise a spurious accusation with revenue just for spite?

Furze99

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058315242/how-do-revenue-follow-up-on-tax-evasion-info

Is builder/ tradesman registered for VAT and obliged to levy it? If so, did the builder give you a VAT receipt or VAT invoice? Did you pay in cash?

These are relevant questions. If answer yes to all above and you have a suspicion that they pocketed the VAT paid in cash, you might have grounds to report. But it may only be a suspicion and that's not really good enough.

I.R.Y.E.D

Report the builder and you leave yourself open for agreeing to a cash in hand job.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121154788#Comment_121154788

How is the consumer in any way liable in Revenue's eyes if tax evasion has taken place by the supplier.

"I was asked for cash, I paid cash. I assume he is fully tax compliant."