Former Collingwood premiership star and media personality Dale "Daisy" Thomas is in the spotlight after the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) launched legal action over a massive unpaid tax bill.
The tax office filed a writ in the County Court claiming Thomas owes nearly $600,000 in unpaid income taxes, interest, and penalties dating back to his final playing years.
The Massive Tax Bill Breakdown
According to the ATO’s statement of claim, Thomas’s tax liabilities began mounting during the 2019-20 financial year—his final season playing for Carlton. Over the next four years, the alleged debts ballooned significantly.
The outstanding income tax figures include:
- 2021-22: $52,538
- 2022-23: $129,142
- 2023-24: $134,259
- 2024-25: $189,613
In addition to the core unpaid tax, the ATO has tacked on $93,176 in interest charges and a $1,565 penalty for failing to lodge a return. This brings the grand total of the lawsuit to $599,293 as of mid-July.
Thomas Claims He Was Left in the Dark
When contacted about the lawsuit, the Seven Network and Triple M commentator expressed surprise, claiming he was unaware of the legal action.
"I haven’t received this correspondence that you have got from the ATO," Thomas said. After reviewing the legal documents, he added: "Now I’ve given it to my accountant to work through with the ATO, and we’ll sort it."
However, the ATO claims this was not a sudden move. The court documents state that Thomas was issued nine separate notices regarding his outstanding debts starting in May 2022.
The tax office noted that it typically takes a "gradually escalating approach" to outstanding debts, utilizing texts, letters, and phone calls before pursuing formal legal recovery.
Life After Footy
Thomas enjoyed a stellar 14-year AFL career, playing 258 games across Collingwood and Carlton. He was a crucial part of the Magpies' 2010 premiership team and later signed a lucrative $700,000-a-year contract with Carlton.
Since retiring at the end of 2019, Thomas has built a successful media career. Alongside his high-profile commentary gigs, he has appeared on reality television, released a children’s book, and secured partnerships with major brands like Nissan, Adidas, and TaylorMade.
Property records show Thomas still owns homes in Blairgowrie and Carnegie, having sold his Glen Iris property for $2.51 million in 2021.
