More than 250 people a day are tipping off the authorities about suspected tax dodging by acquaintances such as ex-partners, former bosses and neighbours.
Figures obtained by The Telegraph show that the number of informants reporting suspected tax-dodging activities to HM Revenue & Customs has risen by thousands in two years.
Last year a record £400,000 was paid out to people using the taxman’s hotline, as part of a rewards scheme offered by HMRC.