In an effort to convince strippers and prostitutes to declare their income and pay annual taxes, the ATO may join condom producer Durex in helping out with the November awards ceremony.
“We’re not sponsoring any awards,” said an ATO official. “However, we can confirm we have a project around the adult industry. We are having discussions with representatives of the adult industry as to the best way we can assist in compliance issues.”
According to adult industry organizer Maxine Fensom, Australian tax officials have been in talks with stripper agencies and ceremony organizers for at least a month and may consider sponsoring an award or staffing a booth at the ceremony in an effort to befriend the largely cash-based industry.
A 2002 study conducted by the Eros Foundation found that Australian brothels generated $1.2 billion in revenue each year.
“About half that money goes to the sex workers, and the ATO would be hard-pressed to collect the tax they are owed,” said Robbie Swan, spokesman for the foundation.
“Not paying tax limits the professionalism of the industry,” said Swan. “Sex workers should be part of the normal working community, and paying tax is a way of recognizing that.”
The award ceremony will be held on Nov. 10 at the Grand Hyatt in Melbourne.
