FRAUD FROM TAX OFFICE

[AussieMark]

Fraud by Tax Office staff on the rise

ALMOST 400 cases of alleged fraud and serious misconduct by Tax Office staff were reported last financial year.

While Tax Commissioner Michael Carmody battles internal corruption, almost three-quarters of Australians believe the Tax Office spends too much time cracking down on ordinary people – letting the real cheats get away.

There were 388 allegations of fraud and serious misconduct in 2002/2003 – an almost 10 per cent increase on the previous year, according to the Commissioner of Taxation's annual report.

In the report, Mr Carmody attributed the jump to "heightened awareness and a more robust prevention and detection environment". "We investigate all reported cases of fraud and serious misconduct by our staff, working with other law enforcement agencies where appropriate," the report said.

"Approximately 60 per cent to 65 per cent of cases reported each year are found to be unsubstantiated and the remainder are referred for criminal prosecution or misconduct proceedings."

This means up to 155 complaints about Tax Office staff misconduct will be prosecuted in the criminal courts or face misconduct proceedings.

The Australian Crime Commission has already investigated a network of allegedly corrupt tax officials who swindled almost $2 million using fake identities and false tax returns.

Former Tax Office employee Paul Alan Wagstaff pleaded guilty three months ago to financial advantage by deception and defrauding the Commonwealth.

The scam, allegedly involving four other tax officials and bank tellers, netted $1.5 million using 57 fake tax returns over six years.

The Tax Office's community perception survey, held each June, found 73 per cent of participants believed the tax man should focus on big tax cheats rather than ordinary taxpayers.

[coriolis]

Fraud by Tax Office staff on the rise


While Tax Commissioner Michael Carmody battles internal corruption, almost three-quarters of Australians believe the Tax Office spends too much time cracking down on ordinary people – letting the real cheats get away......The Tax Office's community perception survey, held each June, found 73 per cent of participants believed the tax man should focus on big tax cheats rather than ordinary taxpayers.

Same here TWW!