2007 media releases
Businessman who "undercut the opposition" jailed for tax fraud
25 May 2007
Business people who cheat the tax system are undercutting honest businesses, Inland Revenue said today after an Auckland man was jailedfor two and a half years for fraud.
Wilfrid Edward Gain, was sentenced today in the Manukau District Court for 12 charges of tax evasion, relating to $165,268 of GST and Income Tax.
Mr Gain had pleaded not guilty at a hearing in November 2006 but Judge J. E. Maze found him guilty, rejecting Mr Gain's statement as "lacking credibility and reliability" and saying she was satisfied Mr Gain had intended to evade the tax.
Mr Gain had worked as a self-employed door manufacturer and wholesaler and had operated a company called Inwall Sliding Doors Ltd. Between April 2001 and March 2005 the business turnover was about $1.1 million. Judge Maze said Mr Gain had a business policy of deliberately undercutting the opposition and competitors to get work.
In sentencing today, Judge Epati said this was serious offending, and there was a high level of premeditation. Tax fraud was a fraud against all taxpayers, the judge said.
Inland Revenue had sought a custodial sentenceand said it was important for the business community that there was a level playing field.
Tracey Lloyd, Area Manager Investigations, said Inland Revenue owed it to all the honest businesses who do comply with their tax obligations to make sure that rogue operators are brought to account.
"The custodial sentencewas a fair outcome, given the amount of tax evaded, that it was over a four-year period, Mr Gain's lack of cooperation during our investigation, and his lack of remorse," said Ms Lloyd.
"Taxes are used to fund schools, hospitals, and other government and community services," she said. "People who try to rip off the system are stealing from the community."
For further information contact:
Alison Welch
Senior Media Advisor (acting)
Inland Revenue
Phone (04) 890 1698
Other media releases this year
- Draft guidelines released for new R&D tax credit
- Man extradited from Australia to face tax charges
- Working for Families Tax Credits to be made early
- Inland Revenue alerts tax professionals
- 'Money man' behind major tax scam jailed
- Third conviction in Rawleigh tax evasion case
- Samoan chief receives two years' home detention
- Early working for families tax credits scheduled
- Cash businesses are in the spotlight
- Inland Revenue transfers first KiwiSaver funds to scheme providers
- Late filers advised to contact Inland Revenue
- Wellington Inland Revenue staff to centralise
- Christchurch businessman fined $20,000 on tax charges
- Hamilton JP jailed for two years for $1.1 million tax evasion
- Businessman pleads guilty to $1.3 million in tax charges
- Jail term extended for Tauranga tax evader
- Inland Revenue offers Language Line
- Inland Revenue wins prestigious IT award
- Inland Revenue simplifies tax with Business Is Booming
- Inland Revenue reassures people affected by weather
- Customers urged to contact Inland Revenue
- Inland Revenue issues GST statement on unconditional property sale agreements
- KiwiSaver information readily available from Inland Revenue
- Scott Anderson bankrupted for unpaid debt of $13 million
- Inland Revenue welcomes 'Trinity' court ruling
- Christchurch tourism operators' concern leads to community service for tax evader
- Inland Revenue welcomes prison sentence for GST fraud
- Levin man sent to jail over $45,000 in GST fraud
- Accountant's low profits prompted tax audit
- "Not a lot" of effort to pay taxes results in jail term for tax evasion
- Tiler in court for keeping staff tax payments
- Northland flood victims should call if having problems with tax payments
- Tax agent fined $10,000 for refusing to cooperate with Inland Revenue
- Early Working for Families Tax Credits payments
- Nelson man in court for not passing on employees' tax payments
- Tax season underway
- Businesses foolish to try to suppress details of income
- Dairy owner in court for cheating on taxes over seven years
- Two years' prison for 146 tax offences
- Refusing to cooperate with Inland Revenue lands couple in court
- Prison sentence upholds integrity of tax system, says Inland Revenue
- Early family assistance payments
- Tax payments due on 7 February
Communications and Inquiry
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: 25 May 2007
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