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2009 media releases

Auckland property consultant jailed for tax fraud
9 July 2009

An Auckland property consultant and former chartered accountant has been jailed for two and a half years for evading tax estimated to exceed $200,000.

Lawrence David Eade was sentenced today in the Auckland District Court after earlier pleading guilty to 14 charges of tax evasion, and one of failing to register for GST.

The offending took place between April 2004 and March 2006 when Eade was a registered bankrupt. He used a company structure to hide his activities.

Inland Revenue Manager Assurance, Investigations, Richard Philp, said the sentence shows the seriousness of Eade's actions.

"Both Inland Revenue and the courts take a very dim view when a tax professional cheats on their taxes."

"Taxes help pay for important services like schools and hospitals. Mr Eade used his knowledge of the tax system to steal money from the community," said Mr Philp.

Eade was a registered bankrupt from March 2003 until March 2006. During this time, he traded in his personal capacity, but issued invoices under the name of About Property Limited, one of his companies. Clients settled the invoices by paying money into Eade's personal bank account.

Eade failed to file 2005 and 2006 income tax returns and is estimated to have evaded tax of $177,087.99. He also failed to file 12 GST returns from May 2004 until March 2006. GST evaded is estimated to be $62,355.06.

Eade has made no payments towards the outstanding tax. None of the returns have been filed.

It is not the first time Eade has appeared in court. In March 2001, one of his companies was prosecuted for failing to file tax returns.

For further information:
Catherine Delore
(04) 890 1698
(029) 890 1698
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: 09 Jul 2009

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