2009 media releases
GST fraudster convicted again
29 May 2009
An Auckland man has been sentenced to 15 months jail for fraud involving GST returns.
Graham Ashley Robert Palmer was sentenced today in the Auckland District Court after earlier being found guilty of dishonestly using a document. In 1988, Palmer was convicted and jailed for a $2.6 million GST fraud.
Inland Revenue Assurance Manager, Richard Philp, said Palmer's sentencing reflects the seriousness of the offending.
"The sentence is a strong message to those who deliberately attempt to defraud our tax system and shows the consequences of being found out."
"Mr Palmer was someone who had previously offended and again tried to defraud our tax system," said Mr Philp.
"Our message to fraudsters is that you will be caught and dealt with. We have specialist staff working on uncovering fraud. People like Mr Palmer are cheating other honest taxpayers and trying to claim money that should be going to community services like schools and hospitals."
In August 2006, Inland Revenue received an electronic GST return in the name of Rexon Ltd claiming a net refund of $81,250. It was related to the alleged purchase of 20 portable buildings for $650,000. Palmer was the sole shareholder and director of Rexon Ltd. The return was audited by Inland Revenue.
In September 2006, Inland Revenue received a fax from Palmer that had a copy of a purported invoice from another company for the purchase of items amounting to $731,250, and a letter stating they would become portable buildings upon assembly. The company was operated by a man known to Palmer.
An inspection of the materials listed on invoice found many did not exist or the materials that did exist were of a lesser value than described on the invoice.
For further information:
Adrienne Perry
(04) 890 1698
(029) 890 1698
adrienne.perry@ird.govt.nz
Other media releases this year
- Structured finance cases settled
- Inland Revenue warns of party plan pitfalls
- Tax fraudster breached worker trust
- High wealth individuals pay an extra $81 million
- Residential rental property and depreciable items
- Lower Hutt man sentenced for tax evasion
- Two jailed for multi-million dollar tax fraud
- High Court ruling on Westpac case
- Christchurch man jailed for GST fraud
- Tsunami donations tax credits
- Former Queenstown man jailed on tax evasion charges
- Jail for $5 million tax fraud
- Tiler jailed for $1.6 million tax evasion
- Online service makes tax refunds easier
- Inland Revenue welcomes High Court decision
- Auckland property consultant jailed for tax fraud
- Te Kuiti accountant jailed for 12 months for tax evasion
- Property developer sentenced for GST fraud
- Wellington man sentenced for tax fraud
- Man jailed for GST fraud
- Helping you get it right
- Last day for tax returns fast approaching
- Auckland man sentenced on GST fraud charges
- New Plymouth woman jailed for fraud
- Christchurch man sentenced on tax offences
- Extradited tax fraudster sentenced to home detention
- Jail for multimillion dollar tax fraud
- Thousands of people eligible for unclaimed millions
- Inland Revenue appeals High Court decision
- Inland Revenue considers voluntary redundancies
- Talk to us, says Commissioner of Inland Revenue
- Apply now for the provisional tax ratio option
- Keep IRD numbers confidential
- Wellington accountant sentenced on tax fraud charges
- Avoid unexpected GST bills on apartment sales
- Nelson man jailed for tax evasion
- Stay informed about KiwiSaver changes
- Tax payment date fast approaching
- Former tax agent employee sentenced for fraud
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: 29 May 2009
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