The Tax Commissioner says the ATO’s prosecution of more than 1,500 people for tax and superannuation offences sends a clear warning to taxpayers who offend, that they can expect to be caught. The Commissioner said the figures for year-to-date results to 31 March 2012 show the ATO successfully prosecuted 1,106 individuals and 400 companies for tax and superannuation offences.
- 30 people prosecuted and convicted of serious tax crime offences, with sentences ranging from 2 months to 9 years. Five of these convictions occurred under Project Wickenby. These serious convictions covered a range of offences including attempting to dishonestly obtain a financial advantage by deception, dealing with the proceeds of crime, and illegally seeking access to superannuation funds.
- 1,076 individuals and 400 companies were successfully prosecuted for other tax offences. Of these, 916 individuals and 332 companies had a formal conviction recorded against them. Offences included failing to lodge a tax return, providing false and misleading information, and receiving a fee for preparing an income tax return when not being a registered tax agent.
Source: ATO media release No 2012/17, 17 May 2012
[LTN 95, 18/5]