ATO revels in $10m fines for dodgy returns

Cheating the tax man didn't pay for about 1500 Queenslanders and businesses in 2016, who were fined more than $10 million for trying to swindle the Australian Taxation Office.

In one case, a Brisbane man received a seven-and-half-year jail sentence after being convicted of 101 offences relating to $1.5 million in false GST claims.

A woman got three years jail and was forced to pay back $132,000 for false business activity statements.

Overall, the ATO said it prosecuted 1541 individuals and businesses, with fines totalling $10.7 million.

Deputy Commissioner Michael Cranston said the ATO worked with other agencies to track down tax cheats and frauds.

"The crimes listed here aren't honest mistakes on a tax return - they are calculated and deliberate attempts to commit fraud and avoid taxation obligations," he said in a statement.

"The perpetrators are stealing from the Australian community and the Commonwealth and we will ensure they face the consequences of their actions."

The range of offences also includes fake deductions, GST refund fraud, falsified alcohol and fuel tax credits and identity crime.