The Australian Taxation Office has identified, and is taking strong action, to respond to significant GST fraud. Involving participants inventing fake businesses to claim false GST refunds. The ATO is warning the community not to engage with this fraud, and for participants to come forward before we take tougher action.
The fraud involves offenders inventing fake businesses and Australian Business Number (ABN) applications, many in their own names, then submitting fictitious Business Activity Statements in an attempt to gain a false GST refund.
The ATO have identified a substantial number of GST refund fraud attempts.
The attempted fraud involves an individual:
- inventing a fake business
- lodging a fraudulent ABN application, and
- submitting fictitious BAS statements to attempt to gain a false GST refund.
The ATO is working with law enforcement agencies to put forth criminal action against any individual or organization who have established and induced participation in the fraud.