In figures released Tue 11.12.2012, the ATO said that, in the quarter from 1 July 2012 to 30 September 2012, it had prosecuted 465 individuals and companies for tax and superannuation criminal offences resulting in over $1.56m in fines and penalties. Of the prosecutions, the ATO said:
- 13 people were convicted of serious tax and superannuation related criminal offences, including 2 prosecuted under Project Wickenby; and
- 452 taxpayers were convicted of deliberately evading their tax and superannuation obligations, including 440 taxpayers who failed to lodge tax returns and activity statements despite reminders and notices demanding lodgment.
The ATO also highlighted the record 9-year jail term handed to a Vanuatu based accountant for his role in promoting a tax minimisation scheme. It said the taxpayer was the 28th person to be sentenced under Project Wickenby.
Source: ATO media release 2012/52, 11 December 2012
[LTN 240, 11/12]