Sydney tax agent sentenced over false tax claims



A Sydney tax agent has been sentenced for 20 months for lodging false income tax returns and amendments which cost the Commonwealth almost $180,000.
Hussain Nazeer from Mount Druitt, NSW, who was a former Business Activity Statement (BAS) agent, lodged 22 fraudulent tax statements for 14 of his clients between 2010 and 2013 after amending their statements, resulting in $23,000 of refunds which he kept himself.
He also submitted 108 false amendments on behalf of 37 taxpayers, mostly relating to car and medical expenses, which resulted in a further $156,000 in refunds.
He was ordered by the court to pay $179,826 in reparations.
Australian Tax Office (ATO) assistant commissioner, Adam Kendrick, said: “As demonstrated in this case, even registered tax professionals can be dishonest and take advantage of their clients. That is why it’s important for the ATO to maintain the integrity of the tax profession and weed out those who try to undermine their trusted position.
“Mr Nazeer’s actions showed a complete disregard for not only the law, but also his clients’ trust by lodging fraudulent tax returns and amendments in their names.”
Nazeer’s registration with the Tax Practitioner Board (TPB) ceased in 2016.
Recommended for you
Digital advice tools are on the rise, but licensees will need to ensure they still meet adviser obligations or potentially risk a class action if clients lose money from a rogue algorithm.
Shaw and Partners has merged with Sydney wealth manager Kennedy Partners Wealth, while Ord Minnett has hired a private wealth adviser from Morgan Stanley.
Australian investors are more confident than their APAC peers in reaching their financial goals and are targeting annual gains of more than 10 per cent, according to Fidelity International.
Zenith Investment Partners has lost its head of portfolio solutions Steven Tang after 17 years with the firm, the latest in a series of senior exits from the research house.