2008 media releases
Auckland plasterer jailed for tax evasion
5 November 2008
Auckland plasterer jailed for tax evasion
A plasterer who spent more than $450,000 of money owed in taxes on ''having a good time'' has been jailed for two years and two months.
David John Hunter, of Manurewa, was sentenced today at the Manukau District Court.
He is estimated to have earned more than $1 million between 1999 and 2007, but during this period paid no income tax, GST or PAYE tax.
"The outcome is a very good result," said Inland Revenue Assurance Area Manager (Investigations), Chris Springett.
"Hunter deliberately avoided paying tax for frivolous personal reasons. His actions not only gave him an unfair advantage over his business competitors, but also cheated the honest taxpayers of New Zealand of a significant sum.''
His offending came to light in September 2006 when Inland Revenue was auditing one of Hunter's customers.
He was charged in August last year with 59 counts of tax evasion including failure to furnish returns, filing false GST returns, and failure to deduct PAYE.
He pleaded guilty to tax evasion earlier this year, but disputed the amounts involved.
Hunter owes Inland Revenue more than $1.2 million when interest and penalties are included.
The money owed has yet to be recovered.
Hunter told Inland Revenue investigators he didn't pay any tax because he ''wanted to make more money''. He also admitted to spending the tax money on ''holidays, doing things, having a good time... wasted a lot of it.''
For further information:
Catherine Delore
029 890 1743
04 890
Other media releases this year
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- Invercargill accountant jailed for tax evasion
- Dairy owner sentenced for hiding half a million
- Tauranga court jails man for tax evasion
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- Former Kaikohe farm manager 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
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- Jail for horticultural student
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- Thousands apply for student loan amnesty
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- Inland Revenue wins People's Choice NetGuide web award for second time
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- 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
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- IRD numbers about to get longer
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- 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
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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: 11 Nov 2008
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