XN000022-1975-03-27 — Page 4

THURSDAY, MAR 27, 1975

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TOUGHER FINES PROPOSED FOR TAX EVADERS

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INLAND REVENUE OFFICERS WILL BE GIVEN WIDER POWERS TO PIN DOWN TAX EVADERS AND REQUIRE THEM TO PAY BY WAY OF PENALTY OR ADDITIONAL TAX THREE TIMES THE TAX EVADED, IF PROPOSED NEW LEGISLATION IS ACCEPTED.

AT PRESENT THE COMISSIONER OR AN AUTHORISED OFFICER ISSUED WITH A

WARRANT BY A HAGISTRATE, CAN SEARCH A TAX EVADER'S PLACE WHERE IT IS SUSPECTED THERE ARE DOCUMENTS OF ASSISTANCE IN DETERMINING HIS TAX LIABELITY.

UNDER THE INLAND REVENUE (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL PUBLISHED TODAY. THE DEPARTMENT WILL BE ABLE TO OBTAIN A WARRANT TO CARRY OUT THE SEARCH AT A PLACE NOT NECESSARILY BELONGING TO THE PERSON WHOSE TAX LIABILITY IS BEING QUESTIONED.

IN ADDITION, AN EXISTING POWER PREVIOUSLY CONFINED TO THE COMMISSIONER PERSONALLY, MAY IN FUTURE BE DELEGATED TO AN OFFICER NOT BELOW THE RANK OF CHIEF ASSESSON.

THIS POWER IS TO REQUIRE A PERSON WHO IS SUSPECTED OF HAVING MADE A FALSE TAX RETURN TO DISCLOSE FULL DETAILS OF HIS ASSETS, LIABILITIES, EXPENDITURE AND INCOME, IF NECESSARY BACKDATING UP TO A PERIOD OF SEVEN YEARS.

ANY PERSON WHO IS THUS ASKED TO GIVE AN ACCOUNT OF HIS FINANCIAL STATE MUST FURNISH THE INFORMATION WITHIN THIRTY DAYS.

THE PENALTIES PROVIDED IN THE BILL ARE IN ADDITION TO THE AMOUNT OF TAX UNDERCHARGED.

FOR A NUMBER OF OFFENCES, THE PENALTY HAS BEEN INCREASED TO THREE TIMES THE TAX UNDERCHARGED. THIS IS IN ADDITION TO THE EXISTING FINE OF $2,000. EVEN IF NO PROSECUTION IS TAKEN OUT, THIS AMOUNT COULD STILL BE IMPOSED ON THE EVADER AS ADDITIONAL TAX.

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