Serious tax offenders will be brought to justice with the ATO saying that there are currently close to 100 serious criminal tax offence matters before the courts across the country. Serious fraud offences that go before the courts include use of falsified invoices to claim deductions not entitled to GST refund fraud, excise fraud (alcohol and fuel tax credit fraud), identity crime with suspected links to overseas organised crime groups, and income tax refund fraud.

The ATO reiterated that the courts view tax crime seriously and will impose lengthy gaol sentences for the worst offenders. This year’s gaol sentences have included an eight-year term of imprisonment (with five years to serve) for a man who claimed large false diesel fuel rebate claims.

Deputy Commissioner Mr Michael Cranston said that the ATO, the Australian Federal Police, the Australian Crime Commission and the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecution (CDPP) work closely together, along with other relevant agencies, as part of a whole-of-government approach to address tax crime and ensure serious offenders are caught and face the full force of the law.

Source: Joint media of the ATO and the CDPP, 19 April 2015.

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