Our public Register has been enhanced to better support consumers and registered tax practitioners. The Register provides important information about tax practitioners and the publication of additional information assists consumers to make an informed choice about a tax practitioner before engaging them to assist manage their tax affairs. 

These enhancements form part of the government’s reform agenda and address recommendations arising from the Independent Review into the effectiveness of the Tax Practitioners Board (TPB) and the Tax Agent Services Act 2009. 

The Register’s enhanced information and functionality will help promote those doing the right thing and maintain a level playing field for all with high levels of integrity in the tax profession. In addition, the improvements present consumers of tax practitioner services with the opportunity for increased protection, as they will now be able to more easily find registered tax practitioners they can trust.

Publishing additional information, such as past names, more detailed information about any integrity or misconduct issues and TPB sanctions imposed (which will now appear for longer), and details of matters being considered by tribunals or the courts improves transparency and public confidence in the tax profession.

Importantly, there is now greater transparency of unregistered preparers who offer services illegally. Unregistered preparers are often unqualified, poorly trained and many are essentially scammers. They often try to convince potential clients that they can obtain unrealistically large tax refunds. By using an unregistered preparer, consumers are exposing themselves to risk. 

Anyone using the services of a tax practitioner this tax time, or considering engaging a new one, is urged to check the TPB Register. This will ensure they are seeking advice from people that have the right qualifications, training and experience.

Learn more

• For more information on the Register enhancement refer to our frequently asked questions. 
• For more information how to use the Register refer to Help with using the TPB Register.