[Greens-Media] Statement from Tammy Franks MLC Regarding Failure to Lodge Tax Returns

[Franks, Office]

Today I appeared before the Magistrates Court to answer a charge of failure to furnish documents.



I have entered a plea of guilty, as I accept and understand that I have not fulfilled my obligations to the ATO in terms of lodging annual returns.  All outstanding returns have since been lodged and I believe I am in fact likely to be entitled to a refund.  This of course will go towards whatever fines the Court imposes on me when I return in November.



I deeply regret the chain of circumstances that has led to these proceedings.



Whilst it is no excuse, I have been facing extremely distressing personal circumstances, including a marriage breakdown and family court proceedings which had contributed to my inability to redress this error in the time frame required.



I stress that I have always paid my taxes through PAYG and have always declared my Tax File number when required.

This is not about non-payment of taxes or any attempt to minimize or avoid my obligations in terms of tax payments to the ATO.



I take sole responsibility for my personal error.



I sincerely apologize to the South Australian public and to my party and my colleagues for the embarrassment that this causes them.

Tammy Franks
MLC

To arrange comment please contact Jamnes Danenberg 0457 549 938


________________________________
The information in this e-mail may be confidential and/or legally privileged. If you are not the intended recipient, access to it is unauthorised and any disclosure, copying, distribution or action taken or omitted to be taken in reliance on it is prohibited and may be unlawful