Direct debt recovery (DRD) is nothing new, though its use was paused during the pandemic. It is now being relaunched to recover debts over £1,000, subject to various safeguarding rules. For example, it can only be used where the debtor has received a face-to-face visit from HMRC agents (having ignored previous correspondence), has not been identified as vulnerable, has sufficient money in the bank and still refuses to pay their debts.

Given the strict criteria it is expected that HMRC will use these powers sparingly, as it did prior to the pandemic. If you’re struggling to pay your tax bill, contact HMRC as soon as possible to ask about setting up a payment plan.