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
Recommended for you
A financial advice firm has been penalised $11 million in the Federal Court for providing ‘cookie cutter advice’ to its clients and breaching conflicted remuneration rules.
Insignia Financial has experienced total quarterly net outflows of $1.8 billion as a result of client rebalancing, while its multi-asset flows halved from the prior quarter.
Prime Financial is looking to shed its “sleeping giant” reputation with larger M&A transactions going forward, having agreed to acquire research firm Lincoln Indicators.
An affiliate of Pinnacle Investment Management has expanded its reach with a London office as the fund manager seeks to grow its overseas distribution into the UK and Europe.
