The Tax Practitioners Board (TPB) has taken action against The Tax Shop (Darwin) Pty Ltd and its current director, William Desmond Fong, following serious breaches of the Code of Professional Conduct. The company was previously terminated for providing false and misleading statements to the TPB, unlawfully accessing and altering Australian Taxation Office taxpayer records without authorisation and failing to account for client refunds held on trust.
Despite this termination, the TPB continues to receive community reports indicating The Tax Shop and Mr Fong continue to provide tax agent services while unregistered. In response, the TPB has issued a cease-and-desist notice to both The Tax Shop and Mr Fong requiring them to stop providing tax agent services. The TPB also interviewed and commenced an investigation into a number of registered tax agents suspected of facilitating unregistered preparer activities.
Registered tax practitioners who enable unregistered individuals to provide tax agent services risk serious sanctions and the TPB reminds all tax practitioners of their obligation to maintain appropriate supervision and control over their practice.
Chair of the TPB, Mr Peter de Cure AM, said ‘We take allegations of unregistered tax agent services very seriously. Matters like these undermine public confidence in the tax profession and pose a risk to vulnerable Australians. Our action sends a clear message, the TPB will not hesitate to intervene when public trust and consumer protection is at stake.’
The TPB continues to prioritise action against unregistered preparers and advisers as part of its ongoing compliance focus and urges the public to verify the registration status of their tax practitioner via their Register. If concerns remain contact the TPB directly to report suspected unregistered activity.
This enforcement action reflects the TPB’s ongoing commitment to protecting consumers and upholding the integrity of Australia’s tax system.
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The TPB regulates tax practitioners in order to protect consumers and ensure the integrity of the profession and the tax system. The TPB aims to assure the community that tax practitioners meet appropriate standards of professional and ethical conduct. Follow us on LinkedIn and Facebook.