Perth tax agent terminated for multiple professional code breaches

The TPB’s investigation of Hillview Taxation and Business Solutions revealed multiple breaches of the Code of Professional Conduct in the Tax Agent Services Act 2009 as they: 

• failed to pay outstanding taxation liabilities to the Commissioner of Taxation and failed to lodge outstanding income tax returns and business activity statements as required; 
• failed to maintain professional indemnity insurance that met the TPB’s requirements; and  
• failed to respond to multiple letters from the TPB requesting them to provide information.  

In addition to these code breaches, the TPB also determined that Hillview Taxation had, since 1 November 2019, failed to have any supervising tax agents.  

The code regulates both the personal and professional conduct of tax practitioners and covers several categories from the honesty and integrity of the tax practitioner through to overall professional competence.

The obligation to comply with the code provides consumers of taxation services with reassurance that their tax practitioner is operating lawfully and in accordance with appropriate standards of professional and ethical conduct.

TPB chair Ian Klug said this action against Hillview shows its commitment to protecting consumers, honest practitioners and to maintaining the integrity of the tax system. 

“Nearly three-quarters of all taxpayers rely on tax practitioners to get their taxes right. The vast majority of tax advisers provide excellent service to clients and operate competently and within the requirements set out in the Tax Agent Services Act 2009,” Mr Klug said.

“As we approach tax time, we recommend consumers search the TPB public register to ensure that their tax agent is both registered and not subject to TPB sanctions.”