In accordance with the Tax Agent Services Act 2009, C.E. Smith & Co., Mackay (CESCO) is committed to keeping you informed about your rights, responsibilities, and obligations as our client.
As required by law, we will notify you of any relevant matters concerning the services we provide. Below, we have outlined a summary of the obligations we have to each other, the ATO and the TPB (Tax Practitioner Board). Additionally, we will ensure that you receive any further information needed to uphold clarity and transparency in our professional relationship.
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We are committed to providing the highest level of service to our clients. To ensure the accuracy and efficiency of your tax matters, we ask that you provide truthful and complete information. It is also important that you maintain the required records and provide them to us in a timely manner, as needed. We kindly request your cooperation in meeting our deadlines and responding to any information requests we may have. Lastly, we encourage full compliance with the relevant tax laws to ensure your affairs are managed properly and in accordance with regulations.
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The ATO may impose administrative penalties in the form of fines, and interest charges may also be applied. In some cases, criminal prosecutions may be pursued, and the ATO may initiate debt recovery proceedings.
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We are committed to acting honestly and with integrity in all aspects of our work here at CESCO. We uphold and promote the highest ethical standards of the tax profession, ensuring that all actions are taken lawfully and in your best interests. We manage any conflicts of interest with transparency and care. Our team takes reasonable steps to thoroughly understand your financial situation and apply tax laws correctly. CESCO is dedicated to maintaining the confidentiality of your information, disclosing it only when legally required. Above all, we are committed to providing services with the highest level of competence and professionalism.
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We take our professional responsibilities seriously. If CESCO is found to be non-compliant, our registration may be suspended or terminated, preventing us from practicing. We could also receive a caution or be required to follow orders from the Tax Practitioners Board (TPB), such as undertaking additional education or working under the supervision of another registered practitioner. In some cases, fines may be imposed by the Federal Court. Inaccurate handling of your tax and superannuation matters could result, which may lead to enquiries or audits. Any tax shortfalls could attract penalties and interest, and you may have legal options to review decisions or recover debts. In cases of fraud or criminal behaviour, penalties could lead to prosecution. CESCO is committed to maintaining the highest standards to avoid such outcomes.
Information about the TPB Register
To assist you, the Tax Practitioners Board (TPB) maintains a public register where you can identify registered BAS agents and tax agents, including those within your local area. The register also highlights higher-risk cases where the TPB has imposed serious sanctions on a practitioner. For more information on how to use the register, please visit the Tax Practitioners Board’s website.
How to make a complaint to the TPB
We encourage feedback that helps improve services and the regulatory system. The Tax Practitioners Board (TPB) values such input as it provides important intelligence and data. If you wish to provide information or make a complaint about a tax practitioner, you can do so easily using the online form at: myprofile.tpb.gov.au/complaints. Complaints can also be made about unregistered preparers who are not complying with the law. All complaints and referrals are thoroughly assessed by the TPB. For more details about the complaints process, please visit: tpb.gov.au/complaints.
Prescribed events within the last 5 years
If any prescribed events have occurred involving CESCO within the last 5 years, we are required to inform you at the time you make inquiries to engage or re-engage our services. If this disclosure is not made at the time of your inquiry, we will notify you within 30 days of becoming aware of the event. Prescribed events include:
Being suspended or terminated by the Tax Practitioners Board (TPB)
Being an undischarged bankrupt or entering external administration
Being convicted of a serious taxation offence or an offence involving fraud or dishonesty
Serving or being sentenced to a term of imprisonment in Australia for 6 months or more.
This obligation applies to prospective clients as well, such as those inquiring to engage us for tax agent services.
Registration subject to conditions
We are also committed to ensuring you have all the necessary information when engaging or re-engaging our tax services. If our registration is subject to any conditions (for example, if we are only authorised to provide tax services related to research and development or tax (financial) advice services), we will inform you at the time you make inquiries. If this is not disclosed at that time, we will notify you within 30 days of becoming aware of the matter. Transparency is a key part of our service, and we aim to keep you fully informed.