Former AFL footballer and media personality Dale ‘Daisy’ Thomas has been sued by the tax office for $600,000 over allegedly unpaid income taxes.
The Australian Tax Office launched action in the County Court against the high profile former player in July, claiming Thomas owed money for as far back as the 2019-20 financial year, which includes his final season playing for Carlton.
The Collingwood premiership player’s alleged debts ramped up in the years that followed.
The ATO claims 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 worth $93,176 and a $1565 penalty for failing to lodge a return bring the ATO’s total claimed bill to $599,293 as of July 16.
The tax office claims further interest and legal costs should the dispute drag on.
Thomas, a commentator for Seven and Triple M, said he was unaware of the lawsuit when The Age called on Tuesday morning.
He later added: “I haven’t received this correspondence that you have got from the ATO.”
After The Age sent him the writ, Thomas then said: “Now I’ve given it to my accountant to work through with the ATO, and we’ll sort it.”
The Deputy Commissioner of Taxation’s statement of claim says Thomas was issued nine notices about his outstanding taxes, penalties and interest charges from May 2022.
Five of those alerts were sent on October 3, 2024, when the ATO amended its assessment of the tax Thomas owed in the 2021-22 financial year to add $85,839.65 to the bill.
Thomas played 258 games for Collingwood and Carlton across a 14-year career that peaked with the Magpies’ premiership in 2010 and his All-Australian selection the following year as a dashing wingman.
He joined rivals Carlton on a four-year deal from the 2014 season with an annual salary close to $700,000, reuniting with coach Mick Malthouse, whom he played under at Collingwood.
But his time at the Blues was less successful: The team struggled and Malthouse was sacked in 2015. Thomas was hit by injuries and struggled to recapture his best form. He enjoyed a renaissance in a defensive leadership role late in his career, but Carlton did not offer him a contract at the end of 2019.
After retirement from football, Thomas appeared on I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out Of Here! and released a children’s book.
He sold his home in Glen Iris in early 2021 for $2.51 million and began a full-time media career, becoming part of Seven’s Friday night commentary team and other AFL shows.
His Instagram profile shows he has partnerships with Nissan, TaylorMade, Adidas, and PointsBet. He is also listed as a “creative partner” at golf fashion brand Found.
Property records show Thomas still owns houses in Blairgowrie and Carnegie.
An ATO spokesperson said they were unable to comment on the tax affairs of specific taxpayers due to confidentiality laws.
“The ATO generally takes a gradually escalating approach to debt collection,” they added.
“Depending on the circumstances, taxpayers may receive SMS reminders, letters, phone contact and opportunities to engage with us before firmer or legal recovery actions are considered.
“The specific steps taken will depend on the taxpayer’s individual circumstances and the nature of the debt.”
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Lachlan Abbott is a crime reporter at The Age. He was previously a city reporter and covered breaking news.Connect via email.From our partners
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