Alan Goddard, 61, of Grange Park, Maghull, Liverpool, was the Director of Alan Goddard Accountants, and over a period of five years pocketed the VAT he had charged to his clients.
In January 2013, HMRC wrote to Goddard reminding him to submit VAT returns, but even after a visit from inspectors in March 2014, he still failed to submit a single return and continued to trade as an accountant.
“As an accountant Goddard was in a position of trust and well aware that he was breaking the law,” said Sandra Smith, Assistant Director of the Fraud Investigation Service at HMRC.
“He chose to do this for the opportunity of making what he wrongly assumed would be easy money at the expense of UK taxpayers.
“He now has a criminal record and his professional reputation is now ruined.”
Goodard was given a two year suspended prison sentence along with 300 hours of unpaid community work order and issued with £1,500 court costs.
He will now face further legal action to recover the stolen tax and has agreed to repay over £64,000 pending further penalty assessments by HMRC.
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