2008 media releases
Waikato couple sentenced for tax evasion
1 May 2008
A Waikato man has been jailed and his wife given home detention after being found guilty of 94 charges each of tax evasion.
Geoffrey Martin Smith and Barbara Jennifer Smith operated a trellis and fencing wholesale and retail business located in Te Kauwhata. They also supplied kindling.
A two-week jury trial in the Hamilton District Court resulted in custodial sentences for the Smiths who evaded GST payments, income tax and PAYE.
Geoffrey Smith was jailed for two and a half years while Barbara Smith was given nine months home detention.
Inland Revenue began investigations into the tax affairs of the partnership in 2004 when an employee approached the Department to obtain earnings details. Subsequent investigations revealed the Smiths' business had not filed any returns and was operating entirely outside the tax system.
During the years 2002 to 2005, the partnership received income in excess of $1.3 million and had up to eight employees, yet chose not to file income tax, GST or PAYE returns.
Inland Revenue Investigations Manager, Raju Budhia, said that this offending was a clear example of dishonest people deliberately evading taxes and increasing their personal wealth at the expense of honest taxpayers.
"Taxes fund schools, hospitals, roads and other community resources. People who rip off the system are stealing from the community."
Mr Budhia said the sentences send a strong warning to others who consider evading their taxes. "Inland Revenue will take firm action against anyone who deliberately sets out to evade their tax obligations."
Ends
For more information:
Mac Dalton
Media Advisor
(04) 890 1743
mac.dalton@ird.govt.nz
Other media releases this year
- Accountant sentenced for tax evasion
- Invercargill accountant jailed for tax evasion
- Dairy owner sentenced for hiding half a million
- Tauranga court jails man for tax evasion
- Most Working for Families recipients not charged interest for overpayments
- Former Kaikohe farm manager jailed for tax evasion
- Auckland plasterer jailed for tax evasion
- New callback service rolled out across Call Centre
- Former employee sentenced
- KiwiSaver report released
- Inland Revenue expands e-services
- Do-it-yourself tax refunds
- Employers reminded about new tax rates
- Former Inland Revenue employee pleads guilty to corruption
- Sentencing strong message for contractors
- Accountant jailed for defrauding clients and Inland Revenue
- Inland Revenue pilots callback system to help customers
- Inland Revenue proposes changes to company tax return
- Agricultural contractor sentenced
- Jail for horticultural student
- Tax fraud results in jail term
- Thousands apply for student loan amnesty
- Early Working for Families Tax Credits payments
- Inland Revenue wins People's Choice NetGuide web award for second time
- Inland Revenue warns about income diversion
- Report of investigation of an error in tax revenue numbers
- Tax credits for people made redundant
- R&D tax credit goes live
- Student Loan amnesty - last chance to apply
- Revised financial statements
- Tax advice for investors in failed finance companies
- Tax advice for property investors
- Provisional tax gets easier
- Early Working for Families Tax Credits payments
- IRD numbers about to get longer
- Tax authorities work together to stop international tax evasion
- Inland Revenue helps drought-affected farmers
- IRD numbers available at NZ Post and AA
- Inland Revenue warns against divulging personal details
- Second jail term for major tax scam
- Welcome surprise for owners of forgotten money
- End-of-year tax date fast approaching
- Time running out for student loan amnesty
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: 06 May 2008
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