Sydney tax agent sentenced over false tax claims
A Sydney tax agent has been sentenced for 20 months for lodging false income tax returns and amendments which cost the Commonwealth almost $180,000.
Hussain Nazeer from Mount Druitt, NSW, who was a former Business Activity Statement (BAS) agent, lodged 22 fraudulent tax statements for 14 of his clients between 2010 and 2013 after amending their statements, resulting in $23,000 of refunds which he kept himself.
He also submitted 108 false amendments on behalf of 37 taxpayers, mostly relating to car and medical expenses, which resulted in a further $156,000 in refunds.
He was ordered by the court to pay $179,826 in reparations.
Australian Tax Office (ATO) assistant commissioner, Adam Kendrick, said: “As demonstrated in this 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.”
Nazeer’s registration with the Tax Practitioner Board (TPB) ceased in 2016.
AUTHOR
Laura Dew
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