- February 4, 2026
- Posted by: FCS Compliance
- Category: Art Market, News, Property Market
On 29 January 2026, HMRC published an updated list of businesses that have failed to comply with the Money Laundering Regulations. The latest data serves as a timely reminder that AML compliance remains a priority area for HMRC enforcement, and that many penalties continue to be entirely avoidable.
This update is particularly relevant for estate agents and Art Market Participants (AMPs), both of whom feature prominently on the list.
A snapshot of the latest HMRC fines
Across all sectors, HMRC issued 369 penalties, amounting to a total of £1,881,237.
- Estate agents accounted for 170 penalties, representing over 45% of the total fines issued
- These penalties alone totalled £835,842
- Multiple Art Market Participants also appeared on the list, reinforcing HMRC’s ongoing focus on AML compliance within the art market
While the sectors differ, the underlying compliance issue is largely the same.
The most common reason for fines: registration failures
In both the property and art sectors, the majority of penalties were issued for failing to register or re-register on time with HMRC under the Money Laundering Regulations.
This is significant because registration failures are administrative, not technical. In many cases, businesses were not fined for complex breaches, but for missing or overlooking key deadlines.
As explored in our earlier guidance on HMRC penalties, registration and renewal obligations are a fundamental requirement, yet they are often missed when compliance responsibilities sit alongside busy commercial workloads.
What this means for HMRC regulated businesses
For businesses regulated by HMRC, including estate agents and Art Market Participants, the latest fines list highlights the importance of having clear oversight of registration obligations.
If you are:
- Not registered with HMRC but should be
- Unsure whether your registration is current
- Approaching a re-registration deadline
you may be exposed to avoidable compliance risk.
For Art Market Participants, there is an additional consideration. Where required, UK AMPs must check that other UK Art Market Participants are registered with HMRC before transacting. This makes registration status not just an internal compliance issue, but part of wider due diligence processes. Previous HMRC enforcement in the art market demonstrates that this remains an area of focus: The key message from HMRC is consistent. Basic compliance failures continue to attract enforcement action, and these are areas where businesses can take practical steps to reduce risk.
Reducing your risk of HMRC penalties
Whether you operate in the property or the art market, HMRC’s latest update shows that registration failures remain a key enforcement focus.
One effective way to manage this risk is to put systems in place that help ensure deadlines are not missed and checks are carried out consistently.
AML Protect: a practical reminder service
AML Protect is a free reminder service from FCS Compliance, available to both estate agents and Art Market Participants. It is designed to help businesses:
- Never miss their HMRC registration or re-registration date
- Check who has registered with HMRC
- Reduce the risk of avoidable AML penalties
You can read more about how AML Protect works here
For time-poor professionals, this type of automated support can play a valuable role in maintaining compliance without adding unnecessary administrative pressure.
If you have appeared on HMRC’s latest list, or are concerned you could in the future, the FCS Compliance team is here to help you understand your obligations and take practical steps to protect your business.
Learn more about AML Protect and sign up today to reduce your risk of HMRC AML fines.
FAQs: HMRC AML fines and registration
When did HMRC publish the latest AML fines list?
HMRC published the most recent list of non-compliant businesses on 29 January 2026.
Which sectors were most affected by the latest fines?
Estate agents accounted for over 45% of the penalties issued, with 170 fines totalling £835,842. Multiple Art Market Participants were also included on the list.
What were most businesses fined for?
The majority of fines were issued for failing to register or re-register with HMRC under the Money Laundering Regulations.
Are these HMRC fines avoidable?
In many cases, yes. Registration and re-registration failures are administrative issues that can often be avoided with the right reminders and oversight.
How can businesses reduce the risk of HMRC AML penalties?
Putting systems in place to track registration deadlines and check registration status can help reduce risk. AML Protect, a free reminder service from FCS Compliance, is designed to support businesses in meeting these requirements.
