Australian Taxation Office welcomes jail sentence for Townsville businessman and former tax accountant following $4 million scheme

The Australian Taxation Office has warned others who submit false tax and income details of the penalties after an NQ businessman was sentenced to jail in Townsville court this week.

Duane Jose Saltmer and Ravindra Deo Narayan of OSMG and OSMT sentenced to jail in Townsville District Court for $4 million tax evasion scheme. Picture: istock

Following the jail sentence of a North Queensland director and his tax accountant who submitted false business activity to avoid tax, the Australian Taxation Office has released a statement approving of the penalties.

In Townsville District Court on Tuesday businessman Duane Jose Saltmer was sentenced to five years’ jail after pleading guilty to obtaining money by deception, along with his now-banned tax accountant Ravindra Deo Narayan who also pleaded guilty to the charges and was sentenced to five and a half years jail.

The offences came to light through an audit of Saltmer’s businesses where in total the pair gained $4 million across three years by altering GST, claiming false deductions and intentionally omitting assessable income.

Assistant Commissioner Jade Hawkins released a statement welcoming the court’s sentence.

“People who deliberately cheat the tax system can expect to face serious penalties, including jail time,” she said.

“We are committed to keeping the system fair and holding to account those who choose to challenge it.”

Through the audit conducted by the ATO it was found Narayan used his role as the business’ tax accountant to lodge income tax returns with false details on behalf of Saltmer.

“Schemes such as this undermine the integrity of the tax profession and give businesses an illegal and unfair advantage over those in the community who are doing the right thing,” Ms Hawkins said.

“It also has broader impacts on our community by reducing funds for essential services such as health, education, transport and infrastructure.”

Residents can anonymously report suspected tax crime or shadow economy activity by submitting tips online or by calling 1800 060 062.

Those concerned with the conduct of a tax practitioner can report them via the Tax Practitioners Board website.

Originally published as Australian Taxation Office welcomes jail sentence for Townsville businessman and former tax accountant following $4 million scheme