An Auckland sales manager who failed to pay tax and
dishonestly claimed refunds has been sentenced to 3 years jail.
Paul Thomas Staples was sentenced in Auckland District
Court today on a range of tax offences, related to three different companies.
The offences, totalling $328,740, occurred between September 2008 and August
2011.
Inland Revenue’s Group Manager Investigations and
Advice, Tony Morris, said Staples was aware of his tax obligations, but
deliberately ignored them.
Staples filed 28 fraudulent documents including income
tax returns and GST returns over the three years. These documents related to
three companies, STH Investments, 380 Express and Voltage Security, previously
known as First Response Security Services.
“STH Investments was a property investment company,
while 380 Express and Voltage Security provided security service,” Mr Morris said.
“Staples knowingly provided false information to
Inland Revenue claiming tax refunds he was not owed. He forged documents to
accompany his tax returns with the intention to evade tax.
“The
majority of taxpayers do the right thing and supply us with the correct
information. We take criminal activity extremely seriously and
continue to use
new tools to identify and combat patterns of offending like this,” he said.
“The
tax Staples didn’t pay would have gone towards vital Government services that
we all rely on, such as hospitals, schools, roads and welfare.
“This
outcome sends a warning to those who think they can try to cheat the system
that they will be caught and punished,” said Mr Morris.
Media contact:
Michelle Smith
04 890 4630, 029 890
1380
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