Hundreds of tax cheats were convicted in the September quarter, as the Australian Tax Office cracks down on tax and superannuation offences.
In the July to September quarter, 465 individuals and companies were convicted and more than $1.5 million in fines and penalties handed out.
Charges ranged from failing to lodge tax returns and making false statements to conspiring to defraud the Commonwealth.
A senior Vanuatu based accountant was jailed for a record term of nine years for his role in promoting a tax minimisation scheme in which participants sent money offshore disguised as expenses before returning the money to Australia in the form of a loan.
The vast majority of charges were minor tax offences, with 452 individuals and companies charged with non-lodgement of, and making false and misleading statements in, tax returns and activity statements.
Tax Commissioner Michael D’Ascenzo said the ATO would pursue tax cheats to the full extent of the law.
"Our increasingly sophisticated information matching capabilities enable us to catch those cheating the system and protect the overall integrity," he said.
"Tax dollars fund vital government services such as health care and schools and superannuation funds our retirement. Those who cheat the system cheat the community."
