Criminal Lawyers Melbourne

Willfully destroying records

Criminal Lawyers Melbourne
ADLA member for - VIC

Written by
Josh Taaffe
Criminal Defence Lawyer


Tax Offences - VIC
The Law - Willfully destroying records

What the Law states - Willfully destroying records


Taxation Administration Act 1997 - SECT 56

Wilfully destroying records

56. Wilfully destroying records

A person must not wilfully damage or destroy a record required to be kept by a taxation law. Penalty: 500 penalty units in the case of a body corporate;

100 penalty units in any other case.

Maximum Penalty in Victoria



100 - 500 penalty units

What the Prosecution must prove - Willfully destroying records - Vic


1. That the accused destroyed records.

2. The accused did so wilfully.

3. The records were required to be kept by a taxation law.

Possible Defences - Willfully destroying records


1. Factual Dispute

2. Accident

3. Mistake

Which court will hear the charge of Willfully destroying records



Magistrates' Court
Article published on 09/01/2009. To check if any changes to the law please discuss with one of our lawyers.
Criminal Lawyers Melbourne