Prisoners' tax claims put under the microscope

25/4/04
Justice Minister Michelle Roberts today announced a crackdown on prisoners making fraudulent tax claims.
The move follows a case two years ago when a prisoner, who had expertise in taxation, helped other prisoners lodge more than $1million worth of fraudulent claims.
Mrs Roberts said the Department of Justice and the Australian Taxation Office had joined forces to implement new measures to ensure that similar incidents did not recur this year.

"Every tax return lodged by a prisoner will be closely scrutinised by the tax office," she said.
"In addition, prisoners can only make tax returns and business activity statements on forms which have been issued and logged by department staff."
Mrs Roberts said prisoners would not be allowed to have tax documents delivered to them by visitors or mail.
"As part of this crackdown, prisoners will not be permitted to retain original group certificates or other documents in their cells," she said.
"These originals will be attached to the completed returns by prison staff in the presence of the prisoners and dispatched in special ATO envelopes addressed to the ATO Fraud Section in the Serious non-Compliance Area."
Mrs Roberts said all prisoners and visitors would be notified of the changes.
Minister's office: 9213 6600