Treasury Minister Allan Bell says it's highly likely the United Kingdom's chancellor will double the penalties against residents of the country who avoid paying tax by using offshore finance centres such as the Isle of Man.
Alistair Darling has already said today's budget, which comes in the run up to the general election in the UK, will be 'sensible and workmanlike' and not a 'pre-election giveaway'.
Mr Bell says there would be two benefits from Mr Darling pursuing wealthy individuals who use the 'offshores'.
He told Manx Radio:
'One is to chase up further outstanding taxes which haven't been paid, for whatever reason, but also, of course, it's a great political scoring point for him.
'It plays well with the Labour electorate, and any attempt to attack the rich and those who evade taxes is very, very popular.
'So I think almost certainly we can expect some measure in the budget today which can effect that.'
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