ATO Tax Agent

What is an ATO Tax Agent?

This is an individual or body registered under the TASA 2009 in order to provide tax agent services. Individuals may decide that they wish to use a tax agent to prepare and lodge any tax return on their behalf. However tax agents must adhere to strict rules to ensure they operate in a professional way and in addition every ATO Tax Agent must be registered with the Tax Practitioners Board. But even if they use an ATO Tax Agent; individuals are still responsible for all the information placed on their tax return; albeit a tax agent fills it in on their behalf.

After July 2011, as a general rule, every registered tax agent will be required to possess professional indemnity insurance in line with the Tax Practitioners Board’s minimum requirements. However, always remember that individuals are still liable for any additional tax even if their agent has made the error.