What would happen if you're in huge trouble but want to leave the country?
I know someone who is in big trouble with the Government here in Australia. An investigation is being carried out as to whether or not he has committed tax fraud. His parents own a restaurant and he didn't know that they had put him as partner. Now the restaurant is being audited and they uncovering huge amounts of debts owed to tax and because of his name being on the deed, he is in trouble. No charges have been laid as yet but he is thinking of just running away to Asia and living with his family - never to be found again. What are the ramifications of his doing this? I know he will probably never be able to come home to Australia again but he feels like he is better off just leaving now rather than taking the risk of facing a life of bankruptcy or imprisonment. What should he do? PLEASE HELP! I don't know how much money they owe but they have had the restaurant for 15 years and they're selling their house and the restaurant now so I'm guessing it's at least over $200,000 maybe more.
Answers:
If he has not been charged with anything as yet then yes he is free to leave, but as you said he will probably never be able to enter Australia again as he would probably be arrested at the port of entry. This is terrible for him, although there is one thing I noticed..you said his parents put him down as a partner, well if he did not sign any documents to agree to that, he could have a defence. To become a legal partner he has to agree and sign various documents to that affect. He really should consult with a lawyer first and explain the situation, this might be the first step before he goes running off.
I think is too early to think about running; first he can't be a parter unless he had signed anything. If he didn't then tell him to fight to see what happends.
If things don't get any better then is up to him, but I think he should talk to a lawyer before doing somethig so extreme that might be no necesary.
Yep. too soon to leave as he may have a defense as others have said. Its doubtful that he is legally a partner. Even if somehow he was his parents might say he had no idea. Regardless was he the one preparing, signing and filing the taxes? Probably not.
Obvious since the parents are selling everything they are preparing to pay the debt. Sometimes the lawyers make a deal and reach a settlement reducing the debt. If he is named in the suit and does not show he makes his parents look guilty and this could anger the court.. not helping the parents case.
If nobody has been charged yet it is unlikely that anybody will.
So all in all he might leave and find it was all for nothing and all he gained was being charged. And there is always the possibility that if the court knows where he went they can request to have him sent back from there. Maybe not today or tommorrow but one day. There is always the possibility that if he flys into a third country one day it could register that he is wanted in Austrailia, even for something minor.
He just needs to find out what is going on and what his parents plan on. If things go bad later. then he can leave.
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