TPB to expand register to up transparency and consumer protection

The TPB has announced it is expanding its list of registered and deregistered tax and BAS agents, to help increase the level of consumer protection it provides to consumers of taxation services.

The register is the key tool for consumers to assure themselves their practitioner is registered and operating according to appropriate ethical and professional standards.

The enhancements will include further detail about tax practitioners, such as: detailed reasons of any sanctions or terminations as well as reasons for rejections of renewal.

According to the TPB, this will ensure consumers are better informed and will help provide a ‘level playing field’ for all tax practitioners.

Earlier this month, the TPB announced it is introducing a more streamlined renewal process for tax practitioners as part of its IT overhaul over the next three years.

The TPB said it has launched a procurement process to replace its ageing customer relationship management (CRM) tool and modernise its IT systems.

"We are seeking a vendor to partner with us to develop and implement a solution that will integrate the evolving business of the TPB,” said Craig Woodburn, chief technology officer of the TPB.

According to the TPB, this includes not only replacing its CRM, but also enhancing the register of tax practitioners, legal practice management systems, compliance analytics, reporting and workflow systems.

The TPB added that it plans to engage an IT vendor by mid-January 2020, with new systems being rolled out progressively over the next three years.