Government protects its dwindling revenues through new Tax crackdown

Extra staff will be hired in a new drive to catch tax cheats to bolster South Australia’s finances as the world deals with the global financial crisis.

30 extra tax compliance officers over the coming year to recoup an extra $15 million in tax revenue.

The hiring drive is part of the South Australian Government’s plan to find money to offset a $400 million “black hole” in the Budget caused by the turmoil.

Treasury’s annual report show 11,792 taxpayers were investigated for breaches involving payroll and land tax, the first home owners’ grant, stamp duty and the emergency services levy.

A minister for the government†said if money owed was not collected, either someone else picked up the bill or the Government would have to cut education, health and law and order programs.

Revenue SA will use sophisticated data-matching techniques to identify potential tax cheats and limit the need to audit those complying with tax laws.

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