REVENUE investigators have launched a massive blitz on the black economy in Donegal – targeting businesses and landlords in the clampdown.
They have called to a number of retail outlets in recent days to check on the identities of staff and to make sure those being employed are registered for tax.
The investigators have also done the same at a number of restaurants and hotels in what is the biggest clampdown on businesses here ever.
Revenue sources have revealed that they have detected a number of crimes in the past few days.
And in another development, the Revenue is also checking premises which they believe are being rented but where tax on those rents have not been declared by landlords.
“You could say it is a blitz,” said one Revenue source.
“There is a massive black economy in Co Donegal and we are determined to clamp down on it where and when we can.
“This may be seen by some people as harsh but the fact is there are a large number of relatively well-off people in our community who are avoiding tax in every way they can.
“One of those is employing people for cash payment. That deprives that person of proper employment rights and it deprives the Government of taxes, taxes which are badly needed right now.”
The source admitted they had received numerous tip-offs from members of the public.
“This is an ongoing operation and we are acting on good information in most cases,” revealed the source.
“However we also have the power to carry out random checks on businesses and that has been pretty successful.”
Asked what he personally thought of business owners who bent the rules, he said: “As far as I’m concerned anyone who cheats on their taxes is a criminal and a thief.
“Look at Letterkenny General Hospital where money is needed for basic services. People who cheat on their taxes are stealing from them.”
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