Tax office pursues former AFL player Dale Thomas for alleged $600,000 tax debts

Former AFL star Dale ‘Daisy’ Thomas is being pursued by the tax office for almost $600,000, court documents reveal.

The Australian Taxation Office launched legal action against the 258-game veteran in July, alleging he failed to pay tax debts over six financial years.

Mr Thomas had a successful AFL career with Collingwood and then Carlton between 2006 and 2019 before embarking on a lucrative post-AFL career, including as a commentator for Channel 7.

In a writ filed with the County Court of Victoria, the ATO is seeking to recoup $599,293 in unpaid taxes, administrative penalties and interest.

The court document alleges the ATO received partial payments for the three financial years between June 2019 and June 2022 but had not received any payments for the three years beyond that.

At the end of the 2019/ 2020 financial year, which was Mr Thomas’ last season with Carlton, it’s alleged he owed just $89.25.

The premiership player’s alleged debts ramped up in the years that followed.

The ATO alleges Mr Thomas owes $4,739 for the 2020/2021 financial year, $64,744 for the following year and $163,849 for 2022/2023.

For the 2023/2024 financial year, it’s alleged he has an outstanding tax liability of $153,449.

In 2024/2025, the final year contained in the court documents, the ATO alleges Mr Thomas owes $194,434.

According to the court documents $94,736 of Mr Thomas’ alleged total debts is interest charges and administrative fees.

The writ claims the ATO issued nine notices to Mr Thomas about his alleged debts from May 2022.

Responding to the legal action, Mr Thomas told The Herald Sun he was unaware of the lawsuit but was confident it would be “sorted”.

“I have not been served anything by the Australian Tax department,” he said.