When you report someone to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), you’ll get a message confirming your report was received, but HMRC does not provide feedback or updates on individual reports afterward. HMRC will only contact you again if it needs more information from you or if you’re eligible for a reward. Investigations into serious tax fraud can take years to conclude.
What Happens After You Submit a Report
Once you submit a report to HMRC, either through the online reporting form or the fraud hotline, you’ll receive confirmation that it was received. From that point, HMRC advises against making further reports on the same activity or trying to contact HMRC to discuss it, as it will not give feedback on the status or outcome of a report.
Will HMRC Contact You Again?
Only in two situations. HMRC will follow up with you if it needs more information to act on your report, or if you turn out to be eligible for a reward under the Strengthened Reward Scheme. Outside of those two circumstances, you should not expect any further communication, and HMRC will not confirm whether an investigation was opened or what came of it.
Is Your Report Kept Confidential?
HMRC states that any information you provide is kept private and confidential. You can also choose to report anonymously, though anonymous reports are not eligible for a reward. For your own safety, HMRC advises against trying to find out more about the activity yourself or letting anyone know that you’re making a report.
How Long Does an HMRC Investigation Take?
HMRC does not commit to a timeline. Its own guidance says tax investigations “can take a long time to finish” and that there could be years between submitting a report and any reward being paid. For the step-by-step reporting process and what HMRC asks for in a report, see How to Report Tax Evasion in the UK to HMRC.
Could You Receive a Reward for Reporting Someone?
Possibly. Under HMRC’s Strengthened Reward Scheme, launched November 2025, you could receive up to 30% of the tax collected if your report leads HMRC to recover at least £1.5 million. Rewards are entirely at HMRC’s discretion and are never guaranteed, and a number of circumstances (such as reporting anonymously, or being the taxpayer involved) make you ineligible.
Where to Report Tax Fraud to HMRC
Reports can be made through the official online form
