I've been summoned to court by the ATO

Sorry, I don't know anything about kangaroo tax laws...

She'll be right, opie.

Bullshit you get plenty of chances before you have to go to court.

You probably fucked some guy over with child support and had a cash based income and you have been caught out. Data matching can be a bitch like that.

I thought the Chinese had taken over.

What ,like the Pakis have over there ? no not yet

Nothing like that. Dude from ATO contacted me, said I had to return tax returns for previous 8 years, before certain date. He sent me out the forms, I filled them in and sent them back. He rang me later and said I didn't do tax returns for all the years requested, and now because it's past the date he said it's due I'm being taken to court. And yesterday I got the summons.....

Weirdly, I've been summoned to Mt Druitt court. Should be interesting.

Nothing will ever be right again.

Can you get some legal advice?

Meh, don't freak out too much.

I've been to court myself, I know it's a frightening prospect. Worrying about it won't help any, just go there and suck up what they serve. Look at it as an interesting day out, lol.

Yes, I'm going to get some legal advice. I'm so sick of being screwed over by solicitors. My last solicitor charged me $350 just to meet with me.

WTF were you thinking not submitting returns for 8 years. They have you in their sights. You will be fine if you can prove that you sent them in but I am guessing that you did not send them by certified mail.

Small slap on the wrist for you unless they want to make an example of you to others.

I know this is a dumb question, but will I get a record from this? I'm studying to be a teacher, and I worry this will effect my employability.

Rock up on the day and speak with a court appointed solicitor. They are free.

If a criminal conviction is recorded then yes. But if it ever went that far you could plead it out.

I'm no expert, but I doubt it.

Trade you for my problems with the O.T.O.
At least you're not going to get turned into a Newt or anything...

If you are not convicted what does that mean?

They were zero tax returns, and I was under the impression that you didn't have to do them if you didn't earn a wage. Anytime that I worked I was very prompt in doing my tax. My son was born 8 years ago.

The ATO guy told me they were to be done, and that he was sending me the forms. I filled them in and sent them back, which they received. But there were other years that weren't with the papers he originally sent.

Regardless, I'm getting fucked over ten ways since breakfast.

Means you can be found guilty but without a conviction being recorded

They would be more likely to send some goetic "heavies" 'round, surely :-)

You have to send them a "non lodgement form" when you do not have to do a Tax return

I guess thats one way to look at it.

If I can drain you further, how does NOT having a conviction recorded benefit you?

[link to www.ato.gov.au]

There you go. I wasn't aware. I rang up centrelink every year and informed them that I earnt zero that year, so they could adjust my FTB. It was them who told me I didn't have to do one.

It means when you are applying for a job and a prospective employer does a criminal background check then you will be clean. If you have a criminal conviction recorded then it will show. As the OP wants to be a teacher I can tell you she will be subject to these types of checks.

I'll see if Michael is in the closet...

Oh wow, OP, your informative government websites are as informative as ours...

[link to australia.gov.au]

As a low income single mum, can you quality for anyone to aid you with your defense?

Thanks. *wipes sweat from brow*

start the revolt, demand they surrender, burn their buildings...it's time to create a better world for your child.