Paul Hogan has called the Australian Tax Office “mongrels” and threatened to sue over claims he had paid out “tens of millions of dollars” in an attempt to end a near decade-long dispute over unpaid tax.
“I didn’t pay tens of millions to get out of anything,” the actor and comedian told Seven News.
“Not only have they breached confidentiality, but they have lied.”
On Tuesday, News Corp reported that ATO commissioner Chris Jordan appeared before an Australian Senate hearing and said the office would be willing to settle with the star if the tax and penalties it believed it was owed were paid in full.
During the hearing, it appeared as though Jordan “hinted” at the fact Hogan had done a dodgy deal under the table.
“All I’ll say is, in the general comment, if people aren’t taken to court and charged, it doesn’t mean substantial amounts of money weren’t paid to settle issues,” Jordan said at the hearing.
“Sometimes, substantial amounts in the tens of millions are paid, and that covers the cost of the liability.”
Hogan hit back at the claims saying, “I should have sued the mongrels. I think I might have to.”
The ATO alleges Hogan owes $150 million in unpaid tax; claims which have dogged the Crocodile Dundee star for nearly a decade.
However, the tax office have never brought any charges against Hogan who has always denied the claims.