UK bank notes of various denominations

HMRC campaign targets users of money service businesses

17 November, 2023

HMRC are writing to thousands of individuals who they believe have used Money Service Businesses (MSBs) to either cash cheques, or to send money abroad during the tax year ended 5 April 2023.

The campaign is intended to be educational, informing and reminding individuals using these services that they may need to declare income received by cashing cheques and/or gross income which is sent abroad, and to register for Self-Assessment if required. 

We are sharing the template letters for awareness, particularly as recipients of these letters may not have tax agents representing them.

Six variations of the letters are being issued, including the following examples:

  • Letter 1 - to individuals who are not registered for Self-Assessment and may have sent untaxed income abroad. 
  • Letter 2 - to individuals who are registered for Self-Assessment and may have sent untaxed income abroad. 
  • Letter 3 - to individuals who are not registered for Self-Assessment and are believed to have used MSBs to cash cheques. 
  • Letter 4 - to individuals who are registered for Self-Assessment and are believed to have used MSBs to cash cheques. 

The fifth and sixth letters are a combination of the above, targeting individuals who have used MSBs to cash cheques and send money abroad. One letter is aimed at people who already file tax returns, with the other sent to those who may need to register for Self-Assessment.