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2009 media releases

New Plymouth woman jailed for fraud
29 May 2009

The former manager of Surf Life Saving Taranaki has been jailed for three years and six months on a number of charges, including tax fraud of over $60,000.

Alison Margaret Douglas was sentenced today in the New Plymouth District Court after earlier pleading guilty to 23 charges of failing to make PAYE deductions to Inland Revenue.

Douglas had also pleaded guilty to 19 charges brought by the Police.

Inland Revenue Assurance Manager, Richard Philp, said the sentence shows the courts are prepared to take a firm line with people who deliberately dodge their tax obligations.

"PAYE fraud is especially serious, because the money is held in trust on behalf of employees. Employers are not entitled to use it for other purposes."

"This sentencing should serve as a reminder to people that tax cheats will be caught and will face serious consequences," said Mr Philp.

Douglas took PAYE deductions from employee wages, but did not pay them on to Inland Revenue. It is unclear what happened to the money.

The unpaid deductions totalled $61,518.61. Late payments of $11,910.44 were made, but after penalty and interest charges, the final amount outstanding came to $88,538.87.

The offending took place over the three-year period from March 2005 to March 2008.

For further information:
Adrienne Perry
(04) 890 1698
(029) 890 1698
adrienne.perry@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: 29 May 2009

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