An Invercargill accountant has been jailed for two and a half years on charges of tax evasion.
Warren Dean Haggerty was sentenced today in Invercargill District Court after last month admitting 54 charges involving $302,000.
The charges included filing false returns, using a document for pecuniary advantage, and money laundering.
They related to offences committed between 2003 and 2006.
Inland Revenue Manager Investigations, Assurance, Lynley Sutherland, said Haggerty's sentencing sent a strong message.
"Accountants have an extensive understanding of the nature of New Zealand's tax system and those who cheat it should expect serious consequences.
"Professionals working in New Zealand's tax system are expected to act honestly and uphold its integrity," Ms Sutherland said.
Inland Revenue and the Courts take a dim view of those such as Haggerty who betrayed their professional obligations for personal gain and benefit, she said.
Haggerty had worked for an Invercargill accountancy firm for more than 20 years.
Between 2003 and 2006 he filed false income tax returns for himself and his wife.
He also changed the amount of tax liability on returns he filed for two client companies, resulting in them making overpayments in provisional tax.
Haggerty arranged for the refunds from Inland Revenue to go to his own personal account.
He also disguised the ownership of the refund cheques, which he used for his own personal spending.
