Film Lens
We're Here to Help is a 2007 comedy film directed by Jonothan Cullinane, based on the true story of Dave Henderson. The film portrays Henderson's experience with the Inland Revenue Department in New Zealand, where he was audited 27 times between 1992 and 1995 after claiming a GST refund. The narrative follows the absurdity of his situation as he faces a demand for $NZ924,341.07 in taxes and penalties, leading to his business failure and bankruptcy.
The film culminates in the IRD's eventual concession that Henderson did not owe the claimed amount, and the fraud charges against him were dropped. Additionally, the IRD acknowledged that they owed him $NZ64,000. This Kafkaesque tale shows the bureaucratic challenges individuals can face when dealing with government agencies.
Why Watch
- •See Dave Henderson's absurd audit saga unfold.
- •Find out how a GST refund led to 27 audits.
- •Meet the Inland Revenue Department's surprising turnaround.
Did You Know
•Dave Henderson was audited 27 times from 1992 to 1995.
•The IRD initially demanded $NZ924,341.07 from Henderson.
•Henderson's business failed and he was bankrupted due to the audits.
•The IRD later admitted they owed Henderson $NZ64,000.
Perfect For
Bureaucratic absurdityNew Zealand storiesTrue crime comedy