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A popular influencer has defended herself against online criticism of her lavish overseas holidays, after it emerged she had negotiated a six-figure reduction on an outstanding tax bill with the ATO.
Last week, Emmylou MacCarthy - who boasts more than 113,000 social media followers - jetted back to from Europe after sharing glamorous snaps of shopping trips and sightseeing adventures.
But her picture-perfect holiday posts have sparked backlash on gossip forums, where critics make the argument that taxpayers effectively helped fund her overseas trip.
Publicly available ATO records show that, in December 2023, the mother of three owed about $161,318 in unpaid tax but ultimately repaid just $62,000 after reaching an agreement with the taxman.
While the former Studio 10 host's arrangement with the ATO is entirely lawful, the situation has left a bitter taste for many already struggling with rising living costs.
'Absolutely appalling,' said one user on gossip site Tattle.
Emmylou MacCarthy has defended herself against criticism of her lavish overseas holidays, after it emerged she'd negotiated a six-figure reduction on an outstanding tax bill with the ATO
'Every taxpayer should be up in arms about this and so should every person who has or ever will need help from the government.'
Hundreds of comments across the website, as well as on Facebook pages and from other influencers, echoed the same sentiment, with many venting their frustration.
'I'm sure all the mums would like to not pay tax and go to Paris. But we pay tax because it's our responsibility and because we have to work together to fund our roads and hospitals and other stuff,' wrote travel influencer Evie on her 'Mumpack Travel' page.
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'If you can afford a trip to Paris, you can afford to pay your taxes. It's not fair.'
The criticism played out for the entire week as MacCarthy continued to post glamorous travel photos while furious commenters picked apart each one.
However, in one of her videos posted last week in London, MacCarthy explained she had been invited on the trip by car company Omoda as a paid ambassador.
Omoda also invited MacCarthy, better known online as Emmylou Loves, to China in October last year.
She showed her followers around London's shops, markets and stands outside Buckingham Palace before jetting off to Paris for a few days.
While MacCarthy's London trip was an ambassador gig with car company Omoda likely footing most of the bill, other overseas holidays look to have been self-funded, prompting criticism
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