TPB takes action over suspected unregistered tax services activity

The Tax Practitioners Board (TPB) has taken action against a Darwin-based tax practice and its director, after receiving reports that it had resumed activity after its registration was previously terminated for serious Code of Professional Conduct breaches.

The Tax Shop (Darwin) Pty Ltd and its current director, William Desmond Fong, initially had their registration 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”. 

Following the receipt of reports from the community that Fong and The Tax Shop continued to provide tax agent services while unregistered, the TPB conducted an investigation into several registered tax agents that were alleged to have facilitated the unregistered preparer activity of Fong and The Tax Shop. The TPB also issued a cease-and-desist notice to both The Tax Shop and Fong urging that they stop providing tax services while unregistered.

“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,” TPB Chair, Peter de Cure, said.

“Our action sends a clear message, the TPB will not hesitate to intervene when public trust and consumer protection is at stake.”

The TPB also reminded registered tax practitioners that they may be subject to serious sanctions for any enabling or facilitation of unregistered activity or individuals, and that they remain obligated to “maintain appropriate supervision and control over their practice”.