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2009 media releases

Nelson man jailed for tax evasion
3 February 2009

A Nelson man has been jailed for two years and three months on tax fraud charges.

Simon James Moir Hedley, a resource management and coastal marine consultant, was also ordered to pay reparation of $113,113.31 when he appeared in the Nelson District Court today for sentencing.

Hedley had earlier admitted 20 charges of providing false information and making false claims in relation to refunds and tax payments.

Inland Revenue Investigations Manager, Assurance, Lynley Sutherland, said the jail sentence sends a strong message.

"Both Inland Revenue and the courts view tax fraud very seriously."

"Inland Revenue has specialist staff working on uncovering tax evasion and fraud, and those who set out to defraud the system will be caught," Ms Sutherland said.

"People like Hedley are committing a crime that is robbing the community of funds that provide public services such as schools and hospitals."

Hedley registered for GST for in 2003, but investigations into his returns revealed discrepancies in the claims he made.

Despite several requests from Inland Revenue, he failed to produce records to verify all the expenditure claims made in his GST returns.

Instead he presented tax invoices created for fictitious work and correspondence that he had made up to try to support his false claims.

The reparation covers outstanding tax from the fraudulent returns of $52,071.83, as well as penalties and interest of $61,041.48.

For further information:
Catherine Delore
(04) 890 1743
(029) 890 1743
catherine.delore@ird.govt.nz

 

Corporate Communications
Inland Revenue

For all media enquiries phone: 04 890 1698

For general communications enquiries
Phone: (04) 890 1936
Email: corpcomm@ird.govt.nz
Fax: (04) 498 5809

P O Box 2198
12-22 Hawkestone Street
Wellington
New Zealand

  

Date published: 04 Feb 2009

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