FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Is that you in Barry’s Vat?

Eastbourne 31st July 2007

Was this you? No? Do you know who these two are? Two men having a Sunday morning lie in on the platform of Gatwick Airport train station might in the past have gone unnoticed but today a film of the event could end up on You Tube. Barry Harman’s film “In The Vat” includes a snippet of just such an event. Barry, a VAT Consultant, said “I have no idea who they are. I envy their relaxed state. They clearly had a good time and so I thought I would include them in my film as VAT although my field is not everyone’s cup of tea. I wanted my film to entertain and inform.”

Barry’s Eastbourne based company, B. Harman & Co, specialises in assisting companies facing VAT prosecution. VAT prosecutions are brought by the Revenue & Customs Prosecutions Office (RCPO), an independent prosecuting authority that reports to the Attorney General and is responsible for the prosecution of all HMRC cases in England and Wales. Prosecutions for missing trader or ‘carousel’ fraud are on the increase. ‘Carousel’ fraud happens when goods are bought on the continent VAT-free and sold to businesses in the UK and the VAT charged is not passed to HM Revenue & Customs. Euan Stewart, Deputy Director, Criminal Investigation for HM Revenue & Customs says: "Tackling missing trader fraud is HMRC's top priority. We have a duty to protect the revenue given the scale and nature of the attack we are seeing.”

Barry says “In my experience when faced with VAT prosecution people turn to their usual solicitor who probably will not have any experience in VAT cases. That solicitor is then on a steep learning curve. HM Revenue & Customs will have done their homework and will have an experienced accounting and legal team on board. Winning is a tough challenge. Loosing is a life changing experience and may result in imprisonment.” B. Harman & Co provides a forensic accounting service for those facing prosecution. They also have available a London based solicitor and barrister who specialise in VAT. To see the 1 minute and 6 seconds “In the Vat” film go to www.barryharman.co.uk or www.youtube.com/BarryVat .

Contact details: Barry Harman, Tel:01323 730453, email:barry@barryharman.co.uk.