The trial over the Plutus Payroll tax scheme has begun with a jury hearing an alleged plan to defraud $105 million from the Commonwealth was described as the "Ben Hur" of tax fraud.
The prosecution claims that a recorded phone call from January 2017 between two accused Adam Cranston and Dev Menon outlined the size of the scheme.
"If this was fully uncovered ... it'd be f***ing Ben Hur, man," Cranston is claimed to have said.
"It would be the biggest tax fraud in Australia's history, definitely there is no question," Menon allegedly replied.
Cranston, 35, is facing trial along with his alleged co-conspirators Lauren Cranston, Dev Menon, Jason Onley and Patrick Willmott.
Prosecutors allege that between March 2014 and May 2015 the five accused formed a scheme to defraud the Commonwealth by withholding $105 million of PAYG tax and GST which should have been remitted to the ATO.
The five are also accused of money laundering these funds.
All five accused have pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The scheme was allegedly conducted through the firm Plutus Payroll which provided payroll services to workers.
"Plutus in Greek mythology was the god of abundance and wealth. In circumstances, members of the jury, of an alleged $105 million fraud, you might think the name Plutus was a very appropriate selection indeed," the prosecution said.
An investigation by the Australian Federal Police, Operation Elbrus, was was launched in 2016 and uncovered the alleged scheme.
The trial continues on Wednesday.
