Upper Murray man accused of dodging his taxes for the past decade faces court on 50 taxation charges

An Upper Murray man who has been accused of dodging his tax return for the past decade has faced court for the first time on a string of taxation charges. Michael Gerrit Hoek, 54, appeared in Narrogin Magistrates Court on December 2 charged with 50 counts of failing to furnish a return. The alleged offending was first flagged by the Australian Taxation Office on November 26, 2016, with a mass of alleged failed returns identified every year until September 30, 2025. Magistrate Erin O’Donnell read the charges to Mr Hoek to confirm he understood. Mr Hoek was self-represented and told the court he did not understand what he was being charged for. He said he had been served the papers only three days prior to his appearance and had not had a chance to seek legal advice. The Australian Taxation Officer prosecutor said it did not matter if Mr Hoek had held employment or not during the past 10 years as it was a “legal obligation to lodge a return”. Mr Hoek will next appear in Narrogin Magistrates Court on March 10 for legal advice.