A Mount Druitt tax professional has been sentenced at the Sydney District Court to 1 year 8 months jail today having pleaded guilty to dishonestly causing a loss to the Commonwealth of nearly $180,000 by lodging false income tax returns and amendments without his clients' knowledge. He was also ordered to pay $179,826 in reparation.
Mr Hussain Nazeer, a formerly registered Business Activity Statement (BAS) agent, lodged 22 fraudulent income tax returns for 14 of his clients between 2010 and 2013. This resulted in $23,000 of refunds that he kept for himself. Mr Nazeer's clients provided honest information about their income and deductions, but he submitted different information in their returns.
Mr Nazeer also lodged 108 false tax return amendments on behalf of 37 taxpayers without their knowledge. His false claims, which mostly related to car and medical expenses, resulted in an extra $156,000 in refunds that went straight to his bank account.
Assistant Commissioner Adam Kendrick welcomed the sentence handed down today.
"Tax and BAS agents play a vital role in contributing to and protecting the integrity of the Australian tax and super systems. The majority of registered agents do the right thing, but unfortunately there are some agents who take advantage of their trusted position for financial benefit," Mr Kendrick said.
The ATO has a program dedicated to identifying and addressing agents whose behaviour has an immediate and ongoing threat to the integrity of the tax and super systems, their clients, and the wider Australian community.
"As demonstrated in today's case, even registered tax professionals can be dishonest and take advantage of their clients. That is why it's important for the ATO to maintain the integrity of the tax profession and weed out those who try to undermine their trusted position."
"Mr Nazeer's actions showed a complete disregard for not only the law, but also his clients' trust by lodging fraudulent tax returns and amendments in their names," Mr Kendrick said.
Mr Nazeer's registration with the Tax Practitioners Board (TPB) was ceased in April 2016.
If you are concerned about the conduct of a tax practitioner you can report them to the TPB at tpb.gov.au/make-complaint.
You can anonymously report tax evasion and crime activities to the ATO via the app or by calling 1800 060 062.
This matter was prosecuted by the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions.
