2006 media releases
False identity charges lead to jail term for Christchurch woman
9 November 2006
Christchurch woman Judith Palmer was today sentenced in the Christchurch District Court to two years and three months imprisonment after using a false identity to claim family assistance payments totalling $120,000 to which she was not entitled.
Judith Palmer faced several charges under the Tax Administration Act for giving false information and for failing to inform Inland Revenue of changes in her circumstances that meant she was no longer eligible to receive family assistance payments.
She had received family assistance in her own name for several years, before applying for payments using a false identity and creating false identities for two children for whom she claimed further payments. Ms Palmer also worked for a number of employers - using different IRD numbers - for extended periods, making her ineligible to receive the family assistance payments she continued to claim.
"Ms Palmer was a persistent, long-term offender," says Lynley Sutherland, Inland Revenue's area manager investigations."The sentence reflects the importance the Courts place on the integrity of the system she set out to deceive.
"It's also an important reminder to those receiving family assistance payments that they must tell Inland Revenue when their circumstances change - or they may end up receiving money to which they are no longer entitled."
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For further information contact:
Sharon Cuzens
04 890 1930
Other media releases this year
- It's IR 3 time - for many of us
- Owner of chain of rest homes get 21-month prison term for million dollar tax evasion
- Family assistance payments to be made early
- Inland Revenue welcomes tough sentence on tax fraudster
- PAYE evasion leads to jail term
- Family assistance payments to be made early
- Inland Revenue welcomes Govt3 award wins
- PAYE Subsidy available for employers
- One month left to seek penalty cancellations
- Christchurch painter jailed on tax charges
- Inland Revenue can offer help to weather-affected businesses
- Prison for Tauranga contractor on tax fraud charges
- Inland Revenue confirms stand on depreciation
- Family Assistance payments to be made early
- Tax discount for new businesses
- Tauranga contractor jailed for tax offences
- Inland Revenue revises rules on shortfall penalty application
- Inland Revenue Flood Support
- Family Assistance to be paid early
- Inland Revenue website wins People's Choice award
- Tax due date coming up on 7 February
- Family assistance payments to be made early
Corporate Affairs
Inland Revenue
To make a media query:
Phone 04 890 1698 or email mediaqueries@ird.govt.nz
Please note, the email address is only for enquiries from the news media. It is monitored during normal business hours 8am - 5pm Monday to Friday.
P O Box 2198
Wellington 6140
New Zealand
Date published: 09 Nov 2006
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