A 48-year-old Sunshine Coast man was today sentenced in the Maroochydore District Court to thirty months’ jail for goods and services tax (GST) fraud. He was also ordered to pay reparations of more than $130,000.
David Latemore, was today sentenced for fraudulent claims made in Business Activity Statements (BAS) lodged between October 2008 and February 2013.
Over this period, Mr Latemore lodged eight BAS and fraudulently obtained $138,723 in GST refunds and attempted to obtain a further $962,772.
Although Mr Latemore stated he was the director of a motor vehicle and yacht business, the audit found the company had no business activity, did not make any business sales or purchases, had not paid any GST and had no entitlement to receive the GST refunds claimed. The court also found these claims to be entirely fraudulent. He also supplied false documents to the ATO to support his claims.
The audit found Mr Latemore used the money obtained to fund the purchase of items intended for personal use including property and motor vehicles.
Today’s sentencing closes a long-ongoing audit and investigation of Mr Latemore from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO), as Mr Latemore was subject audits throughout the offending period. The audit was prolonged due to extensions sought by Mr Latemore during the audit period time to provide required information.
Assistant Commissioner Peter Vujanic said the court’s decision is a reminder of the seriousness of refusing to engage with the ATO.
“The ATO has sophisticated systems in place to detect deliberate attempts to commit fraud and we will rigorously pursue taxpayers who are found to be cheating the system through the court system.
“This wasn’t an honest mistake by a small business owner trying to do the right thing – it was a calculated and deliberate attempt to commit fraud and steal money from taxpayers.
If a member of the community has any knowledge or concerns about someone doing the wrong thing they can report it online at ato.gov.au/report a concern or by calling 1800 060 062.
