Tax agent termination affirmed
The termination of a Gold Coast tax agent's registration by the Tax Practitioners Board (TPB) has been affirmed by the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) after repeated failures to comply with tax laws.
The AAT said it was not satisfied that Gregory Brown of GJ Brown and Co was a fit and proper person given his repeated failures to comply with tax laws in both his personal and director's capacities.
Despite being cautioned by the TPB for breaching the Tax Agent Services Act 2009 (TASA), Brown failed to lodge income tax returns and business activity statements by the relevant due dates, and failed to pay tax liabilities as and when they fell due.
Brown had been consequently convicted of six tax offences for failing to lodge, and had failed to comply with court orders requiring rectification of the non-compliance.
TPB chair, Ian Taylor, said: "The TPB must act to protect the public and to maintain the integrity of, and trust in, the profession".
"Whilst the TPB recognises that practitioners may be affected by personal and/or practice issues and will work with them to ensure their compliance with the tax laws, where there is evidence of repeated misconduct we will take strong action, including termination of registration," he said.
Recommended for you
A financial advice firm has seen a weekly decline of 10 advisers, with all moving to a new licensee, while Centrepoint Alliance continues its “growth story”.
Sequoia Financial Group has seen a top-level reshuffle as the chair of the board, John Larsen, steps down after five years in the position.
As statements of advice move into the rear-view mirror, Vital Business Partners explores how financial advisers are adopting innovative documentation strategies.
Adviser Ratings has explored whether there is a financial benefit to advice firms seeking to have a specialised client base in terms of client assets and fees charged.