--- title: How to find out if you’re affluent courtesy of an HMRC unit description: How to find out if you're affluent courtesy of an HMRC unit. image: https://www.wellersaccountants.co.uk/hubfs/WellersAccountants_july2016_files/images/shutterstock_50689465_blog.jpg --- [![Wellers Logo](https://www.wellersaccountants.co.uk/hubfs/.09%20Wellers%20Logo/Wellers%20Logo%20-%20Landing%20Pages.svg "Wellers Logo")](https://www.wellersaccountants.co.uk) This is a search field with an autosuggest feature attached. - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. ![](https://www.wellersaccountants.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/aWellers_2017_Images/Wellers%20Images/What%20Do%20You%20Need%20Images/search-icon.png?width=600&name=search-icon.png) ****** ![bannerImage.png](https://www.wellersaccountants.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Wellers%20%20Blog%20Assets/bannerImage.png?width=1129&name=bannerImage.png "bannerImage.png") ## Beyond the balance sheet - [Personal Tax (3)](https://www.wellersaccountants.co.uk/blog/topic/personal-tax) - [Business insight (1)](https://www.wellersaccountants.co.uk/blog/topic/business-insight) - [Tax News (1)](https://www.wellersaccountants.co.uk/blog/topic/tax-developments) - [Hospitality (1)](https://www.wellersaccountants.co.uk/blog/topic/hospitality) # How to find out if you’re affluent courtesy of an HMRC unit [**Edward Parker](https://www.wellersaccountants.co.uk/blog/author/edward-parker) **25/1/2016 **3 minute read [**](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https://www.wellersaccountants.co.uk/blog/how-to-find-out-if-youre-affluent-of-hmrc-unit) [**](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://www.wellersaccountants.co.uk/blog/how-to-find-out-if-youre-affluent-of-hmrc-unit) [**](https://twitter.com/share?url=https://www.wellersaccountants.co.uk/blog/how-to-find-out-if-youre-affluent-of-hmrc-unit) ## [Edward Parker](https://www.wellersaccountants.co.uk/team/team-detail/edward-parker) FCCA explains the criteria HMRC use to decipher tax payers as affluent for investigatory purposes. Ever wondered whether you’re affluent and what the criteria for this is? Well wonder no more because HMRC have an affluent unit with specific figures they apply to gauge your financial position.   ### If you consider yourself a high net worth individual or you're heading that way, then you may find the following criteria used by HMRC useful in helping you to judge your wealth (affluence): - Earning more than £150,000 a year - Net worth between £1m and £20m ## How to find out if you're affluent and how the HMRC unit work this out HMRC claim to use the information held in your tax return, data in the public domain and information from other government departments courtesy of their **[Connect data mining software](https://www.wellersaccountants.co.uk/blog/HMRC-power-tax-return.aspx)**. This is said to have access to 28 different sources of data including offshore banks, companies house, UK banks and the benefits agency to name a few. The analysis means HMRC build a picture of all your assets and potential sources of income. That allows them to make comparisons against your self assessment forms to judge the accuracy of your tax returns. ## Why do HMRC have an affluent unit? The Affluent Unit opened in 2011 to investigate the tax affairs of those who weren’t being examined by [HMRC’s High Net Worth Unit](http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/+/http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/menus/hnwu.htm). Its purpose was to focus on those who frequently use tax avoidance schemes and those who have signed up to them courtesy of advice from a tax scheme promoter and don’t realise they’ve done anything wrong.  It demonstrated how HMRC had widened its sphere of investigation beyond just the super rich. That’s because the criteria used to ascertain affluence has meant many middle class professionals such as lawyers, surveyors, doctors and dentists have fallen under the tax man’s microscope. The problem HMRC have had when investigating the super rich is their wealth means they’re more likely to challenge rulings in court and/or relocate to other countries should they find the tax system unfavourable. The middle classes on the other hand are likely to have far greater commitments keeping them in this country such as their career, home and family. They’re also unlikely to have the funds or time to legally challenge decisions that go against them.  ## What exactly in your personal finances might attract the revenue's attention? You’re likely to be investigated if: - You file your self-assessment tax returns late - You have involvement in various [tax planning schemes](https://www.wellersaccountants.co.uk/blog/how-to-shun-tax-avoidance-schemes) - You have an unusually low rate of tax on your income - You have offshore bank accounts - You have offshore property - You have significant assets in the UK ## How successful have HMRC been? In the 2012/13 tax year the unit raised £85.7m from their investigations. This then increased by 60% to £137.2m in 2013/14. Compare that to what HMRC clawed back from the super wealthy during the same time period which rose 20% to £268m. It’s clear HMRC believe there is more to come as the headcount from this unit has risen 54% to 327 employees in the last 2 years. ## How to plan if you're affluent or soon will be - Make Wellers/your advisor aware of all your assets and income streams, ensuring you pass on the correct details - Consider asking Wellers/your advisor for a tax efficiency review to assess your tax position - Look at taking out fee protection insurance Note: Wellers do no actively promote tax schemes but should you require advice in relation to them then please do **[get in touch](https://www.wellersaccountants.co.uk/contact-us)**. 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