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Taxation Law FAQ - Could I Use Criminal Law To Escape Gaol?

Date: July 13, 2011

Q.  Surely if the ATO were to attempt to prosecute me for tax non-compliance then I could rely upon the criminal law to escape being sent to gaol, couldn't I?

A.  No.  Although you are entitled to the best possible defence you can mount given the circumstances, and although you can rely upon the fact that the prosecution has to prove their case beyond reasonable doubt, circumstances are never quite that clear cut.  How do you think that you can avoid the criminal consequences of your actions when the ATO will be in fulsome possession of material(s) which they will be able to present to the court to demonstrate that you were involved in a scheme the sole or dominant purpose of which was tax evasion.

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