RBS and Jefferies staff held as tax evasion investigation widens Documents seen by The Daily Telegraph suggest staff at a number of other City firms, including at least two banks, a stock brokerage and a wealth management firm, are involved in the alleged tax evasion scheme. A source at one of the firms involved said due diligence when City staff are hired meant there was "no way" that employers wouldn't have known about the workers" involvement in the film schemes in these cases. However, he said they probably mistakenly assumed the tax avoidance initiative was being used legally. Film investments have commonly been used to avoid tax, with a number of schemes providing incentives designed to promote the UK film industry. However, the Government has begun cracking down on widespread abuse of film finance by wealthy individuals seeking to avoid tax. Investors can now claim a maximum of £25,000 tax relief a year through the schemes unless they are "actively involved" in the film. The investigations relate to the individuals" personal tax affairs and do not involve the firms" finances or those of their clients. RBS said the bank couldn't comment on an ongoing investigation. Jefferies declined to comment.