A former soldier turned tax agent who lied to cover up incorrect returns submitted for clients, has been found guilty of tax fraud.

Christopher Jonathan Lunn of Tetley Mews in Tunbridge Wells dishonestly sent false invoices to HMRC to cover up an increase in the amount charged for accountancy fees on behalf of his employers’ clients.

Clients were given one low-cost bill for accountancy services (which are tax deductible), but these bills were increased when their accounts were submitted to HMRC.

This meant that the firms’ clients paid less tax than they owed, as their fees were inflated to such an extent – sometimes by thousands of pounds – that the tax benefit was equal to the true cost of the accountancy service.

Jen Becker, Assistant Director, Criminal Investigation, HMRC said: “Lunn admitted in court that the invoices were false but denied that he had lied to HMRC officers during the enquiries. The jury did not accept this.

“Our message is clear, if you flout the rules, no matter who you are or what your profession, HMRC will find you and you will pay the price" - Jen Becker...

"The overwhelming majority of tax agents are honest and HMRC relies on them to ensure their clients pay what they owe.

“Our message is clear, if you flout the rules, no matter who you are or what your profession, HMRC will find you and you will pay the price.

Lunn, who was not a trained accountant, was also convicted of lying to HMRC about a client’s source of income.

He had claimed that she had earned her income through a limited company, rather than as a sole trader, in order to take advantage of a lower tax rate for businesses.

Sentencing Lunn for the six offences at Southwark Crown Court, HHJ Goymer described him as shameless and said that the jury’s verdicts had showed he engaged in shameless and bare-faced dishonesty by lying to HMRC.