Fraudulent tax returns
It has come to our attention that some tax agents are being used to unknowingly lodge fraudulent returns.
Fraudsters have attended registered tax agent practices requesting to have their returns prepared or to lodge a return printed from e-tax.
They will often attend a tax agent's practice with a group of individuals, who typically claim not to speak English. One person will be the nominated spokesperson for the group.
Some common characteristics of these clients are that they may:
- be first time lodgers
- tender hand written payment summaries
- claim excessive tax instalment deductions
- have other claim values in common
- claim to work for the same employer.
What you need to do
From an integrity point of view, we understand that you would not want to be associated with fraudulent returns.
If you notice unusual behaviour, we recommend you take extra precaution to ensure that new clients are legitimate. For example, you may want to confirm the identity of new clients or check with the employer that they issue hand written payment summaries to their employees.
If you are unable to establish that the payment summary and claims are authentic, you should explain your responsibility as a registered tax agent and decline to prepare or lodge the tax return.
We also seek your help in reporting this behaviour to us via the Tax practitioner integrity service.
To make a confidential report you can contact us by:
- phoning toll free on 1800 639 745 (8am-6pm Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays)
- emailing TaxPractitionerIntegrityService@ato.gov.au
- marking all documents 'in confidence' and faxing your report toll free on 1800 016 221
- marking all documents 'in confidence' and mailing your report to:
Tax Practitioner Integrity Service
Australian Taxation Office
Locked Bag 8021
BRISBANE QLD 4001
Debbie Rawlings
Assistant Commissioner
Active Compliance Individuals
Micro Enterprise and Individuals
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