Tax inquiry told of hounding of small businesses

By Nassim Khadem
Updated April 18 2015 - 10:08am, first published November 25 2014 - 11:38am
"I really want the Tax Office to be brought to account when they do something wrong – not only wrong in making a mistake, but if they knowingly persecute or prosecute or harass or intimidate a taxpayer to the point where it all seems to be a planned exercise to force you to give up your position.":  Taxpayer Joanne Hambrook Photo: Louie Douvis
"I really want the Tax Office to be brought to account when they do something wrong – not only wrong in making a mistake, but if they knowingly persecute or prosecute or harass or intimidate a taxpayer to the point where it all seems to be a planned exercise to force you to give up your position.": Taxpayer Joanne Hambrook Photo: Louie Douvis
"I really want the Tax Office to be brought to account when they do something wrong – not only wrong in making a mistake, but if they knowingly persecute or prosecute or harass or intimidate a taxpayer to the point where it all seems to be a planned exercise to force you to give up your position.":  Taxpayer Joanne Hambrook. Photo: Louie Douvis
"I really want the Tax Office to be brought to account when they do something wrong – not only wrong in making a mistake, but if they knowingly persecute or prosecute or harass or intimidate a taxpayer to the point where it all seems to be a planned exercise to force you to give up your position.": Taxpayer Joanne Hambrook. Photo: Louie Douvis
"I really want the Tax Office to be brought to account when they do something wrong – not only wrong in making a mistake, but if they knowingly persecute or prosecute or harass or intimidate a taxpayer to the point where it all seems to be a planned exercise to force you to give up your position.":  Taxpayer Joanne Hambrook Photo: Louie Douvis
"I really want the Tax Office to be brought to account when they do something wrong – not only wrong in making a mistake, but if they knowingly persecute or prosecute or harass or intimidate a taxpayer to the point where it all seems to be a planned exercise to force you to give up your position.": Taxpayer Joanne Hambrook Photo: Louie Douvis
"I really want the Tax Office to be brought to account when they do something wrong – not only wrong in making a mistake, but if they knowingly persecute or prosecute or harass or intimidate a taxpayer to the point where it all seems to be a planned exercise to force you to give up your position.":  Taxpayer Joanne Hambrook Photo: Louie Douvis
"I really want the Tax Office to be brought to account when they do something wrong – not only wrong in making a mistake, but if they knowingly persecute or prosecute or harass or intimidate a taxpayer to the point where it all seems to be a planned exercise to force you to give up your position.": Taxpayer Joanne Hambrook Photo: Louie Douvis

Small business taxpayers have been intimidated, made bankrupt and some have suffered mental breakdowns and contemplated suicide after drawn-out disputes with the Tax Office, according to evidence given to a parliamentary inquiry.

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