Today the Tax Practitioners Board (TPB) has joined with the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) to outline its shared commitment to working with tax practitioners and professional associations to deliver the Australian Government’s COVID-19 stimulus relief measures effectively.

The joint statement highlights the essential role played by the tax profession in helping the community to respond to the COVID-19 crisis and encourages tax practitioners to work with the ATO and the TPB in ensuring the measures are applied fairly.

TPB Chair, Mr Ian Klug AM, thanked the vast majority of tax practitioners that act with integrity.

‘This is clearly a very challenging time for tax practitioners as they juggle the competing demands of dealing with the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on their own business, while supporting their clients,’ Mr Klug said.

‘However, in the current environment there is a risk of misconduct if tax practitioners defraud the stimulus package, intentionally or unintentionally.

‘We recognise and appreciate that most tax practitioners do the right thing but where the TPB identifies a serious risk to clients, the public or to revenue, we will act to support the public interest.

'As always, we expect tax practitioners to work in a way that maintains the integrity of the profession and of the taxation system.’

Mr Klug said that in applying the government’s COVID-19 relief measures correctly, they may need guidance from the ATO and the TPB.

He also said that a hotline (1300 362 829) and mailbox has been established by the TPB to enable tax practitioners to advise the TPB in confidence if they see misconduct occurring.

‘The bottom line is that we want to ensure that those clients of tax practitioner services who are genuinely eligible for government relief are provided with it as quickly as possible, to safeguard the economy at this critical time.’

About the Tax Practitioners Board

The Tax Practitioners Board regulates tax practitioners in order to protect consumers. The TPB aims to assure the community that tax practitioners meet appropriate standards of professional and ethical conduct. Follow us on Twitter @TPB_gov_au, Facebook and LinkedIn