A property developer's claims of an unfair tax trial have been thrown out by appeal judges.

Thirty three properties across Auckland are tied up in a $34m asset freeze - New Zealand's biggest such case.

Inland Revenue Department prosecuted fewer people in 2015 than the year before, but the value of the frauds was bigger.

John George Russell - accountant, former merchant banker, 81-year-old and some $500 million in debt to the IRD - is finally raising the white flag.

After months of maintaining his innocence ex-Heart of the City boss Alex Swney phoned his parents to say he was going to plead guilty to nearly $1.8m in tax evasion.

Companies could recover GST incurred during capital raisings, with the Inland Revenue Department signalling it may look into the tax system anomaly that prevents them from doing so.

Summer holidays are coming but Eli and Wyndi Tagi won't be expecting to switch off their phones.

The taxman has invested millions and decades trying to shut down schemes of its 80-year-old nemesis.