Petition to scrap code changes hits 1k signatures

ChangeGPS founder Timothy Munro and chief executive David Boyar have urged the accounting industry to rally together to oppose new obligations set to apply to tax practitioners from 1 August.

The new obligations issued as part of a determination by Assistant Treasurer Stephen Jones earlier this month impose eight new obligations on tax practitioners.

ChangeGPS, part of the Access Group, stressed that the only way to fight the new obligations is by being strong with opinions and standing together as a profession.

The pair have launched a petition calling for urgent action against the “unfair and unworkable rules” introduced in the determination, which they shared with the 4,000 viewers in a recent webinar.

“What we want and what we need, is to have this law appealed,” Munro said.

Boyar said signing the petition was a crucial step in joining together to communicate the sector's frustration and rejection of the legislation.

“We all need to come together and work together,” he said.

Munro said no one realised the extent of the impact Stephen Jones’ new power would have when it came into effect in January 2024.

“The tax accounting bodies responded to the draft legislation and said there doesn’t seem to be a reason why we need to go through and do all of this,” he said.

Munro expressed his main issue with the legislation was the fact it wouldn’t stop “bad guys” from acting unlawfully.

“These code changes are an absolute waste of time. This is not going to stop the bad guys, because the bad guys won’t be operating by these code changes anyway,” he said.

Boyar quoted a joint statement from the accounting bodies which highlighted how they have all banded together to demonstrate why the legislation is unnecessary.

“There appears to be no discernible policy reason for altering the legislative scheme in these significant ways for a part of the code,” the professional bodies stated.

“The codes core purpose seems to be dislocated and undermined by this approach,” Boyar read.

Both Munro and Boyar agreed that the accounting bodies including CPA and CA ANZ have actively tried to help all accountants fight this legislation, but said they’d like to see them doing more.

“The accounting bodies are trying to have your backs, but the government is ignoring them,” Boyar said.

Along with this, Munro stated, “I just wish the bodies were more on top of this stuff. We’re paying them to be on top of this for us.”

The pair outlined their accolades to the accounting bodies fighting the legislation, yet emphasised they need to be clearer and stronger with their opposing statements.

The webinar also provided a breakdown of the new code requirements, detailed explanations of what is expected of practicing agents as well as advice on how to tackle it.

The new scheme, set to commence 1 August has created an uproar and confusion within the accounting sector, as the motivation behind the new code requirements are unclear.

Munro and Boyar provided materials and extensive explanations to 4000 viewers, highlighting what accounting agencies must be doing within their practice to ensure they are in line with the new code.

Though advice and strategies were provided by the two, their professional opinions against the updated code requirements were also shared with the audience.

ChangeGPS founder Timothy Munro said no one realised the extent of the impact Stephen Jones’ new power would have when it came into effect in January 2024.

“The tax accounting bodies responded to the draft legislation and said there doesn’t seem to be a reason why we need to go through and do all of this,” he said.

Munro expressed his main issue with the legislation was the fact it wouldn’t stop “bad guys” from acting unlawfully.

“These code changes are an absolute waste of time. This is not going to stop the bad guys, because the bad guys won’t be operating by these code changes anyway,” he said.

ChangeGPS general manager David Boyar quoted a joint statement from the accounting bodies which highlighted how they have all banded together to demonstrate why the legislation is unnecessary.

“There appears to be no discernible policy reason for altering the legislative scheme in these significant ways for a part of the code,”

“The codes core purpose seems to be dislocated and undermined by this approach,” Boyar read.

Both Munro and Boyar agreed on the accounting bodies such as, CPA and CA ANZ are actively trying to help all accountants fight this legislation, yet wish they were doing more.

“The accounting bodies are trying to have your backs, but the government is ignoring them,” Boyar said.

Along with this, Munro stated, “I just wish the bodies were more on top of this stuff. We’re paying them, to be on top of this for us.”

The pair outlined their accolades to the accounting bodies fighting the legislation, yet emphasised they need to be clearer and stronger with their opposing statements.

Munro and Boyar said the only way to fight this legislation is by being strong with opinions and standing together.

“What we want and what we need, is to have this law appealed,” Munro said.

“Can I just say to everyone on here now, you’ve got to do something to help.”

Towards the end of the webinar a ChangeGPS petition was shared with the 4000 viewers, focused on fighting against the new tax code changes.

Boyar said signing the petition is a crucial step in joining together to communicate the sectors frustration and rejection of the legislation.

“We all need to come together and work together,” he said.

“Support each other, please support each other.”