increase font size
Inland Revenue has warned people operating illegal tax schemes in the agricultural and horticulture industry that they will face serious consequences.
A Bay of Plenty man has today been sentenced to 12 months home detention and 300 hours community work after admitting tax evasion charges involving $188,000.
Balbir Singh, a 46 year old kiwifruit contractor from Opotiki, was sentenced in the Tauranga District Court after earlier pleading guilty to 22 tax evasion charges.
Investigations and advice group manager, Patrick Goggin, says Inland Revenue has been aware for some time of tax evasion schemes in the horticulture and agriculture industry and has placed a strong focus on them.
"Mr Singh is the latest in a number of prosecutions in recent years where we've caught people in the industry cheating on their tax obligations. Those who are tempted need to know we're closely watching and will take strong action.
"Our staff had spoken to Mr Singh and educated him about his tax affairs, but he deliberately chose to try to evade his responsibilities, thinking he'd get away with it.
"So our message is think again, you will be caught, and you will be dealt with," Goggin says.
Singh set up his horticultural labour contracting company, JLP Enterprises Ltd, in June 2008. Its registration showed the company required tax forms for 19 employees, and was required to file PAYE returns monthly and GST returns every two months.
Goggin says the company filed returns and made payments until February 2009, as required, but did not make PAYE and GST payments after that.
"Inland Revenue also found the company actually had between 50 and 60 employees at times and was still supplying labour to orchards after Mr Singh cancelled the company's PAYE registration in October 2009."
Inland Revenue records show PAYE returns of $52,031 that were filed but not paid. A further $77,784 in PAYE and $58,742 in GST was not filed and remains unpaid.
Selecting the reverse gear quicker than a lovestruck boyfriend who has met the in-laws for the first time, the Coalition Government has confirmed that the proposal to amend Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) charged against farm utes has been canned.
A tax advisory specialist is hailing a 20% tax deduction to spur business asset purchases as a golden opportunity for agribusiness.
On the same day that the protesters against David Seymour’s Treaty Principles Bill marched on Parliament in Wellington, on the other side of the world, UK farmers were also marching on London.
The first batch of overseas drivers for local agricultural contracting work is expected in the country next week, says Rural Contractors New Zealand (RCNZ) chief executive Roger Parton.
An ‘11th-hour’ relaxation of border restrictions by the Government has been welcomed by the agri sector, but the wider industry is calling for more exemptions.
Dawn Meats is set to increase its proposed investment in Alliance Group by up to $25 million following stronger than forecast year-end results by Alliance.
A day after the ouster of PGG Wrightson’s chair and his deputy, the listed rural trader’s board has appointed John Nichol as the new independent chair.
Tributes are pouring in from across the political divide for former Prime Minister Jim Bolger who passed away, aged 90.
The iconic services building at National Fieldays' Mystery Creek site will be demolished to make way for a "contemporary replacement that better serves the needs of both the community and event organisers," says board chair Jenni Vernon.
Agri advisor Perrin Ag says its graduate recruitment programme continues to bring new talent into the agricultural sector.
Entries are open for the 2026 New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards (NZDIA).
OPINION: Ageing lefty Chris Trotter reckons that the decision to delay recognition of Palestinian statehood is more than just a fit…
OPINION: A mate of yours truly recently met someone at a BBQ who works at a big consulting firm who spent…
