A former Kaitaia man who used his ex-de facto partner's myIR account to file false GST returns has been sentenced to 10 months home detention and ordered to pay $26,980 in reparation.
Bryce William Pawson, formerly from Kaitaia, was sentenced in Palmerston North District Court last week on a range of tax offences relating to an alleged stud beef cattle breeding business.
Inland Revenue's Group Manager Investigations and Advice, Patrick Goggin, said Pawson used his ex-de facto partner's myIR login over a period of two years to file false GST returns obtaining a total of $43,075 in GST refunds. Pawson had also forged documents to support these returns.
"This is a reminder for people to keep their IRD numbers, tax information, online passwords and all other data safe and private at all times to stop others stealing and using their personal information," Mr Goggin said.
"New Zealander's can be confident that Inland Revenue's myIR system is secure. This case sends a warning to those who think they can try to cheat the system that they will be caught and punished."
Mr Goggin said that people like Pawson, who choose to deliberately cheat the system, are taking money from hard working New Zealanders and funding for essential services like schools and healthcare.