Last month we reported on the tax troubles of Australian actor Paul Hogan. Hogan is in trouble over money sheltered in Swiss bank accounts.
The Sydney Morning Herald reports in Thursday’s edition that Hogan has hired an American expert in trusts: Scott Michel of Caplin & Drysdale, a Washington firm of attorneys. Mr. Caplin has written many articles dealing with white collar crime in general, and tax evasion specifically.
The Herald article notes that Hogan invested in “honourable trusts” through Phillip Egglishaw. Egglishaw’s brochure, according to the Herald, states, “Trusts are typically used to avoid the following forms of taxation: income tax, capital gains tax, death duties, gift taxes, wealth taxes…. The key is ‘secrecy'”
Given that Australia’s tax laws require residents to declare their worldwide income (as do those in the US), Mr. Caplin may have his work cut out for him. At least the Herald is reporting that Hogan is only looking at civil penalties because of his ignorance of Australian tax law.
News Story: Sydney Morning Herald