January 5th, 2018.


An East Kilbride mechanic, who failed to pay almost £210,000 of tax and National Insurance due on self-employed earnings, has been jailed for 18 months after he was investigated by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).

Investigations revealed that from 2009 to 2014 Iain Wilson, 61, from MacKenzie Gardens, had failed to declare all of his earnings as the sole proprietor of his business, ‘Milton MOT’s’.

Confirming his declared sales, against Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency records, HMRC officers discovered that Wilson had been suppressing his earnings, failing to declare his true income to HMRC in his Self Assessment tax returns, and evading £208,912.62 in Income Tax and National Insurance Contributions.

Joe Hendry, Assistant Director, Fraud Investigation Service, HMRC, said: “Wilson chose to lie about his income and didn’t pay the tax due on his earnings. He thought he could pocket the money, which should have been funding vital public services, but he was wrong and now he’s paying the price.

“Most people pay the tax they owe, when they owe it, but a small minority think they are above the law. No matter how well you think you’ve covered your tracks, nobody is beyond our reach. Tax fraud is a serious crime and I ask anyone with information about those who may be involved to contact our fraud hotline on 0800 788 887.”

Wilson was sentenced to 18 months in prison when he appeared at Hamilton Sheriff Court today (4th January 2018). He was found guilty after trial at the same court on 17 November 2017. Confiscation proceedings to recover the proceeds of his crime are underway.