New figures from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) show the tax authority have increased the number of tax investigations undertaken by 21% over the pasts two years. HMRC was able to generate £814bn in tax revenue last year - an 11.3% rise compared to the year before - thanks in part to this rise in compliance activity. Seb Maley, the CEO of tax insurance provider Qdos, warns that small businesses and freelancers are more likely to be hit by HMRC’s more aggressive approach. He explained: “HMRC is clearly on a mission to increase tax receipts and we’re seeing first-hand experience of this. The number of self-employed workers being investigated by the tax office is noticeably on the rise.”