Jack Toft
Years ago
NH: Hoges - Hero or Villain?
The spate between the ATO and Hoges has been simmering for a number of years. Hoges has been accused of tax evasion by not declaring millions of $ in earnings over a period of time he states he was not required to pay tax.
The issue has come to a head with the ATO issuing him papers upon his arrival to Australia for the funeral of his mother and placing a caveat on his passport restricting his travel out of Australia.
Seems a pretty low, insensitive act to do that, but then again do you expect anything else?
On the side of the ATO, we all need to pay tax so the government can provide services for the benefit of all Australians. If you earn the money as an Australian resident, you need to pay up baby! If the government spent it wisely, you wouldn't mind paying it.
On Hoges' side, "I was living in the USA at the time!"
Seems like a real Mexican standoff. Hoges can cope it sweat and pay about $10 M in "Backtaxes", or else fight it through the courts for a number of years, not see his family and then probably pay about $5M in taxes and fines, and $1M in lawyers fees, plus.
So, poindexters, what do you think? What should happen?
Main options are:
1. He pays the $10M and case closed. ATO look like bast#@$%
2. He fights and it gets nasty. ATO look like bast#@$%
3. Bob Katter gives him a Presidential pardon as part of a deal to form the next government. Julia chortles. ATO look like bast#@$%
4. He pays a people smuggler dressed in a budgie smuggler to get him to Guam and back to USA.