BAS agent hit with 4-year ban for failing tax obligations
The TPB has terminated a BAS agent's registration after they failed to comply with personal tax obligations and complete CPE.
The Tax Practitioners Board (TPB) has revealed an individual BAS agent has had their registration terminated by the Board Conduct Committee (BCC) following an investigation.
The BCC found the BAS agent to have breached multiple items of the Code of Professional Conduct.
The breaches of the code included Code item 1 to act honestly and with integrity and Code item 2, to comply with the taxation laws in the conduct of their personal affairs.
It was also found Code item 8, maintain knowledge and skills relevant to the tax agent services provided, and Code item 14, respond to requests and directions in a timely, responsible and reasonable manner were breached.
The BAS agent also ceased to meet the registration requirements to be a fit and proper person and to maintain indemnity insurance.
The BAS agent had breached the code in various ways which included failing to pay outstanding tax debts as and when they fell due, as well as failing to complete the minimum level of relevant CPE.
The BCC found the agent was making false statements in a renewal application by not declaring overdue tax obligations for themselves and their related entities and regarding meeting the continuing professional education requirements.
It was also found the agent failed to lodge multiple returns, including 93 business activity statements, 3 fringe benefit tax returns for themselves and their related entities by their due dates.
The board said the agent failed to respond to requests and directions from the Board in a timely, responsible and reasonable manner.
“Taking into account the BAS agent’s serious non-compliance with their personal tax obligations to meet registration requirements, the BCC decided to terminate their registration and prohibit them from reapplying for a period of four years,” the TPB said.
