Ex-AFL star Dale Thomas hit with $600,000 lawsuit for unpaid taxes

Ex-AFL star Dale Thomas faces a $600,000 lawsuit from the Australian Tax Office (ATO) over allegedly unpaid income taxes. The legal action was initiated in the County Court in July, with claims dating back to the 2019-20 financial year, including Thomas's final season with Carlton. According to the ATO, Thomas owes income tax for multiple years, along with interest and penalties. The total amount claimed by the ATO stands at $599,293 as of July 16, with additional charges potentially accumulating if the case proceeds to court. The ATO alleges that Thomas still owes income tax of $52,538 for the 2021-22 financial year, $129,142 for the 2022-23 financial year, $134,259 for the 2023-24 financial year, and $189,613 for the 2024-25 financial year. Interest charges amount to $93,176, and a $1,565 penalty for not lodging a tax return adds to the total. The ATO claims these figures could increase further depending on how long the dispute lasts. Thomas, who currently works as a commentator for Seven and Triple M, initially expressed surprise upon being contacted by The Age regarding the lawsuit. He stated he had not received any official communication from the ATO until The Age forwarded the writ to him. After receiving the document, Thomas said he would consult his accountant to resolve the issue with the tax authority. According to the Deputy Commissioner of Taxation’s statement of claim, Thomas was notified of his outstanding taxes, penalties, and interest charges through nine separate notices starting in May 2022. Five of these notices were sent on October 3, 2024, when the ATO revised its assessment of the tax Thomas owed for the 2021-22 financial year, increasing the amount by $85,839.65. Dale Thomas played 258 games for Collingwood and Carlton during a 14-year career, reaching the peak of his success with Collingwood’s 2010 premiership and earning an All-Australian selection in 2011. He moved to Carlton in 2014 on a four-year deal with an annual salary near $700,000, reuniting with coach Mick Malthouse. However, his tenure at Carlton was marked by struggles, including injuries and a lack of success, leading to Malthouse’s dismissal in 2015. Despite a resurgence in a leadership role later in his career, Carlton did not renew his contract after the 2019 season. Following his retirement from professional football, Thomas transitioned into media, appearing on reality television programs such as I'm A Celebrity ... Get Me Out Of Here! and releasing a children’s book. In early 2021, he sold his home in Glen Iris for $2.51 million and embarked on a full-time media career, joining Seven’s Friday night commentary team and participating in various AFL-related shows. Thomas maintains business relationships with several brands, including Nissan, TaylorMade, Adidas, and PointsBet, and is listed as a “creative partner” at the golf fashion brand Found. Property records indicate that Thomas still owns homes in Blairgowrie and Carnegie. An ATO spokesperson declined to comment on Thomas’s specific tax matters due to confidentiality constraints. They emphasized that the ATO typically employs a step-by-step approach to debt collection, offering taxpayers various methods of engagement before resorting to legal measures. The spokesperson noted that the exact procedures used would vary based on the taxpayer’s situation and the nature of the debt. Thomas’s legal representatives have yet to provide a detailed response to the allegations, though he has indicated that he is working with his accountant to address the matter with the ATO. The case is expected to proceed through the courts unless a settlement is reached. The outcome of the dispute could impact Thomas’s public image and financial standing, particularly as he continues to maintain a prominent presence in both sports media and commercial endorsements.