Ex partner using my tax file number for tax avoidance

[Kermitpurple1994]

Hi all,

I split from my ex partner a year ago and we have two babies together. I’m not working and we entered a private and informal agreement that he would pay rent and provide some maintenance money instead of me going to court to get spousal and child maintenance. I don’t have permanent residency here yet but I have a tax file number. Anyway, I recently found out that he has been paying for this maintenance using a trust fund using my information. Apparently this is a way of avoiding tax but I am concerned because this is my info. He has his own business and I know he does dodgy things although I don’t know the specifics apart from the fact he has offshore accounts. I have never seen a piece of paper or signed anything. My hunch is he wanted to keep me out of court to avoid disclosing bank statements. I couldn’t lodge for normal child support because he put his earnings as £20k a year when in actuality it’s more like £300k a year. I would have been left with just £100 a month.

Should I be concerned? I asked for full disclosure but he didn’t provide this. Should I go to the tax office or will that open a can of worms? Am I worrying for nothing? I’m pretty clueless with this stuff.

Didn't want to read and run. I can't really offer any advice, other than this has red flags all over it. You need to get this sorted asap, as these things always resurface and have consequences.

Ate you in Australia? I have never heard of a tax file number so Googled it and it seems to be an Australian thing.

Although the tax rules will probably be different in Aus, the fact remains that he is up to no good and should be reported to the relevant authorities. You are definitely not worrying for nothing.

I don't know what a tax file number is but imo if I knew someone was lying about their income to that extent I'd report then anonymously

I'd want to get this sorted. If you don't, you look like you're complicit in his tax evasion. Could this have repercussions down the line for your permanent residency? I'd be worried if I were you.

Unless you want to look complicit if / when this comes out then I'd take legal advice on how best to deal with this.

Is this in the uk?

Sounds like this isn't in the U.K., but there will be a HMRC equivalent you can report this too.