Former Bachelor star turned fitness entrepreneur Sam Wood has been taken to court over a massive $7.3 million tax claim.
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) launched civil action against the 44-year-old over allegedly unpaid income tax spanning three years.
Court documents filed in the County Court of Victoria last Monday showed the Deputy Commissioner of Taxation is pursuing Samuel James Wood, for unpaid taxes, reported the Herald Sun.
Interest and penalties had also allegedly not been paid for the 2021-22, 2022-23 and 2023-24 financial years.
The Melbourne-based personal trainer, who shot to fame as the leading man in The Bachelor Australia’s third season, is accused of failing to pay income tax by the due dates.
In total, the ATO claims he owes $7,349,264.86 made up of tax, interest, and penalties.
‘The defendant failed to pay income tax for the relevant periods on or before the relevant due dates,’ the Deputy Commissioner’s statement of claim reads.
‘The plaintiff claims the sum of $7,349,264.86 which is due and unpaid.’
Former Bachelor star Sam Wood is facing a massive $7.3 million tax claim
The Australian Taxation Office launched civil action over allegedly unpaid income tax spanning three years
The breakdown of the alleged debt includes $4,037,461.14 in missed income tax for the 2021–22 financial year, $102,023.20 for 2022–23, and $3,189,107.76 for 2023–24.
Failure-to-lodge penalties and interest across those periods total just under $8,000, while an additional $12,770.44 is claimed for Division 293 tax on concessional superannuation contributions.
Failure-to-lodge penalties and interest across those periods total just under $8,000, while an additional $12,770.44 is claimed for Division 293 tax on concessional superannuation contributions.
The tax office is also seeking further interest and costs.
The court documents note the legal action will be discontinued if Wood pays the full amount, along with $1,647.40 in legal costs, within the required time.
Wood rose to national fame in 2015 when he appeared on The Bachelor, where he met his now-wife Snezana Markoski.
The pair married in 2018 and share three daughters, Charlie, Willow and Harper, along with Snezana’s daughter, Eve, from a previous relationship.
The tax office is also seeking further interest and costs
The couple have built lucrative careers as influencers and brand ambassadors.
Earlier this year, the couple sold their five-bedroom home in Elsternwick, which featured a home gym and sauna, after listing it for $6.6 million.
The final sale price has not been disclosed.
Wood previously made headlines in 2022 after selling his online fitness empire, 28 by Sam Wood, to Australian genomics company myDNA Inc for an eye-watering $71 million.
Despite the alleged tax debt, Wood recently completed his first marathon in Africa as part of a fundraising campaign for Carrie Bickmore’s charity, Carrie’s Beanies 4 Brain Cancer.
When contacted by the publication for comment, Wood did not respond. Daily Mail has contacted his business for further comment.
If proven, the debt could represent one of the largest personal tax disputes involving a public figure in recent years marking a dramatic twist for the former reality TV star who turned his Bachelor fame into a multimillion-dollar fitness business.
