Hogan snaps at Australian tax probe

11:32pm Friday 4th July 2008

Actor Paul Hogan, star of the Crocodile Dundee films, has challenged Australian tax investigators to "come and get me" in the United States following reports he is under investigation.

Speaking outside his mansion in Santa Barbara California, the 68-year-old said: "They should build a statue of me up there at the tax office."

"Come and get me," Hogan said with a grin, in an obscenity-laced statement addressed to the Australian Taxation Office.

Hogan, targeted by an Australian tax evasion task force set up three years ago to track foreign taxable income, has repeatedly denied that he dodged taxes.

Reports in Australia said tax officers had asked for help from the US Internal Revenue Service in obtaining Hogan's banking records.

Four companies related to Hogan have been ordered to hand over documents, it said.

Hogan is fighting the IRS involvement, arguing that it is being used to obtain documents that Australian officials could not lawfully obtain.

Hogan told Australia's Ten Network television he was returning to Australia in September to make a film.

"I'll be arrested the minute I land on the shore, of course, but I have a gun; so be warned," he joked.

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