TAX EVASION

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 March 1943, Page 3

TAX EVASION

FULL SCALE INVESTIGATION. PROMISED BY MINISTER. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. “Every effort is being made by the Land and Income Tax Department to detect tax evasion, but shortage of staff prevents a special inquiry being instituted at present,” said the Minister in Charge of the Land and Income Tax Department, Mr Nordmeyer, replying to an urgent question asked by Mr Langstone (Government, Waimarino), in the House yesterday. Mr Langstone had asked the Minister if he had read the Press message from Australia in which it was stated that taxation officials there had combed foreign communities and that the amounts collected were staggering. He also inquired whether in view of the large increase in the note issue in New Zealand the Minister would have similar investigations made here to ascertain whether there was any evasion of income taxation. The Minister said the Government was fully aware of the significance of the large volume of notes now in circulation. As soon as circumstances permitted a full-scale investigation would be undertaken, and minute inquires made into the activities of any person, whethei' alien or otherwise, who was suspected of having avoided his income or other taxation responsibilities. A considerable deterrent to tax evasion existed in the fact that liabilities extending back over several years could be inquired into, and that in addition to any fine imposed by a Court following prosecution, the Commissioner could at his discretion require payment of unsatisfied tax at treble rates.