Simon Maddox: Beyond Q Books owner in court for failing to pay tax
The owner of a popular cafe and book shop which recently closed its doors has fronted court and been given a hefty fine for failing to lodge tax returns for well over a decade.
Canberra Star
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The owner of a popular cafe and book shop which recently closed its doors in Canberra has fronted court and been fined $12,000 for failing to lodge tax returns for well over a decade.
Simon Maddox, 67, from Canberra, is the longstanding co-owner of cafe and book store Beyond Q Books based in Weston which closed its doors this month.
The popular venue cited a massive drop in trade and leasing problems for the closure.
On Tuesday, Maddox appeared in Sydney’s Downing Centre Local Court to be sentenced for failing to lodge tax returns for over a decade, both personally and on behalf of the partnership which runs the business.
The extent of the offences related to 110 monthly tax returns and nine annual tax returns not being filed by Maddox between 2008 and 2019. He also failed to make personal tax returns for the years 2001 to 2018.
“Despite all of the good things you have done with the business and all of the other things you have supported, you have let the community down by not (lodging tax returns),” Magistrate Jennifer Atkinson said.
“You have effectively not been paying tax.
“You live in the community … all of the facilities that we have come from taxes we pay. The Government has to fund it in some way.”
He was sentenced for three offences of refuse or fail to furnish or return information when required, having previously pleaded guilty to the charges.
Magistrate Atkinson ordered him to pay $12,000 in fines and convicted him on all three charges.
She also gave him nine months to get his outstanding returns lodged or else he would face further charges.
“If you are charged with further offences those charges carry a maximum prison sentence of 12 months jail so you need to get them lodged.”
Magistrate Atkinson said he could have been fined far more but she took into consideration his current financial position.
His defence lawyer had earlier stated he was filing for bankruptcy this week, had no income or assets, and was unable to get the age care pension until he lodged any outstanding tax returns.