Channel 4 Meets The Taxman

Head of Documentaries, Nick Mirsky, has commissioned Tiger Aspect Productions to make a 3 x 60 mins series, Meet The Taxman (working title).

The team behind this observational documentary series has spent twelve months securing unique and unprecedented access to HM Revenue and Customs.

As Britain tries to climb out of recession, the Government has declared war on tax dodgers and given HMRC nearly £1billion in extra funding to chase them down.  Meet The Taxman will follow inspectors and investigators on the frontline as they set out to catch tax evaders and collect unpaid tax. Some estimate these tax deficits are burning a £35 billion hole in Britain’s public finances, draining  our public services of the money they need.

The series will see tax inspectors targeting the so-called ‘high risk’ sectors, from plumbers and scrap merchants to dentists and doctors, offshore bank accounts and high net worth individuals.  There are also criminal investigation units with the power to arrest, busting crime gangs all over the UK. HMRC’s message is clear – no matter who you are - if you’re avoiding tax, the net is closing in. In contrast, viewers will also see how HMRC helps the public and businesses who do the right thing and pay their taxes.

Channel 4 Head of Documentaries Nick Mirsky says: "Money from taxation funds everything we value most about society, yet the team who collect it have often been viewed with mistrust and suspicion. What is exciting about this commission is that it offers unique access to a group of public servants on whom we are more dependent than ever to help make the nation's books balance.  It is a series that is important, fresh and timely - and will take us right into the heart of the battle to make everyone pay their fair share."

Tiger Aspect’s Head of Factual, Clare Handford and Simon Ford are the executive producers;  Marcus Sulley is the producer/director. Handford says: “At a time when public and parliamentary concern is directed at tax rates and tax evasion, this series will show the work of HMRC and provide unique insights into an area which affects us all and dominates the national conversation.”

Series Producer Lawrence Walford adds: “We all have a mental picture of the taxman as someone who takes away our hard earned cash. But during the last year, I've realised there is much more to this job than meets the eye. There are some fascinating stories and unexpected characters which will make for a compelling documentary series.”