HMRC used attachment orders to recover debt directly from the salaries of 428 people in 2017-18, according to data obtained by UHY Hacker Young.
The information was uncovered via a Freedom of Information request by the accountancy firm.
An attachment of earnings order is a debt recovery method granted by a court, determining the minimum amount a debtor needs to live on and with the sum owed then deducted from money earned above that amount.
According to the data revealed to UHY Hacker Young, HMRC's spending on private sector debt collectors rose by 62% to £39m in 2017, up from £24m in 2016.
An HMRC spokesperson said: "All of HMRC’s powers are given to us by parliament and are subject to appropriate checks and balances.
"Enforcement action is only ever considered as a last resort, we will always attempt to engage in discussion regarding payment, and when appropriate agree reasonable offers of payment over a longer period of time based on individual circumstances."
