Cairns woman gets 3 years’ jail for $283k GST fraud
Deborah Martin pleaded guilty to filing fraudulent BAS in the latest win for the ATO’s Operation Protego.
A Queensland woman has been sentenced to three years’ jail after obtaining almost $283,000 in fraudulent GST refunds.
Deborah Martin pleaded guilty to 11 charges of obtaining a financial advantage by deception from the Commonwealth and was sentenced in Cairns District Court last week.
Between January and March 2022, Ms Martin admitted lodging fraudulent BAS to claim GST refunds from the ATO totalling $282,914.
The prosecution was the latest in a run of convictions as a result of the ATO’s Operation Protego, which was established in response to widespread GST fraud and has taken action against more than 57,000 individuals.
Acting ATO deputy commissioner Jade Hawkins, pictured, said the latest jail term should serve as a warning to those who attempted to defraud the government.
“GST fraud is not a victimless crime and those who engage in this activity are stealing funds that would otherwise be used for essential services,” she said. “We continue to work closely with state law enforcement agencies, like Queensland Police Service, to bring offenders to account.”
Ms Hawkins said the ATO had significantly strengthened its controls and was prioritising action against fraud.
“We have implemented system changes that strike a different balance between making it easy for people to get into the business tax system and harder for those who should not be there.”
“Our message is clear, if you don’t run a legitimate business, you don’t need an ABN and you cannot claim GST refunds.”
“If you have stolen from the community, I urge you to come forward to the ATO or face the consequences.”
The sentence is just the latest in a string of jail terms handed out for GST fraud. In October, a Wollongong woman was sentenced to 1 year and 8 months’ imprisonment after attempting to obtain more than $250,000 in GST refunds through 63 fraudulent BAS in early 2022.
In August, a Mildura man was sentenced in Victoria to 7 years and 6 months’ jail with a non-parole period of five years, after trying to obtain $834,437 in fake GST refunds.
Queensland Police Service Detective Acting Chief Superintendent Craig McGrath said police remain committed to investigating this type of fraud.
“This is money that could have been provided to the Queensland community for social, health and education services,” he said.
‘The Queensland Police will continue to work closely with our government partners to detect and prosecute criminals who make profits defrauding the government.”
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