Assistant federal Treasurer Chris Bowen says the Australian Taxation Office has sent out about $75 million in tax bills as part of an effort to make sure criminals are paying their fair share of tax.
Mr Bowen says the ATO has been working with the Australian Crime Commission to compare the assets and lifestyle of criminals with their tax records.
He says so far a substantial amount of money has been collected, but in some cases the taxes are being paid on the proceeds of criminal activity.
"It's not only the proceeds of crime, it's other proceeds as well," he said.
"Anything which the individuals concerned tell the Crime Commission which doesn't quite add up in terms of what they've told the Tax Office, gets dealt with.
"So it does include proceeds of crime but it's not only proceeds of crime."
Mr Bowen says paying the taxes does not legitimise criminal activity.
"I think that Australian taxpayers would expect ... that any outstanding issues in relation to their tax bills are followed up as well," he said.
"That's exactly what the tax office, in conjunction with the other agencies, is doing."
Source: By Australian Broadcasting Corporation
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