The Tax Agent & BAS Agent Services Regime

How the Laws affect you, your clients and your practice.

Presented by
Maria Benardis,
Technical Services Manager, ATMA

This Tax Agents Services ATC 2009 regime affects all tax and BAS agents providing tax agent or BAS services. This includes persons providing tax advice, ascertaining tax liabilities, entitlements or obligations and representing clients in dealings with the Commissioner of Taxation. The new regime is intended to ensure that tax agent services and BAS services provided to taxpayers are of an appropriate standard.

Some of the key legislative elements of the new regulatory regime are:

• the establishment of a National Tax Practitioners Board (TPB)
• a legislated Code of Professional Conduct to govern the provision of tax agent and BAS agent services
• a wider range of disciplinary sanctions which may be imposed by the TPB
• registration and regulation of tax agents and BAS agents and
• a 'safe harbour' for taxpayers from penalties who use tax agents or BAS agents in certain circumstances.

It is essential that all tax agents, BAS agents and tax practitioners understand this regime and the impact it currently has on them and their practice.

Why you need to register - the topics covered include:

• What impact does the new Code of Professional Conduct (Code) have on my business? How do I and my staff provide tax agent services competently as is required by the Code?
• Why am I required to complete CPD and how will I report the new CPD requirements to the TPB?
• What is “reasonable care” and how do I implement this in my practice and when providing advice?
• Why am I required to have PI Insurance, hold a Public Practice Certificate (PPC) and complete a PPC workshop?
• What are the TPB’s investigatory and sanction powers; the new civil penalty regime; the safe harbours to avoid penalties?
• What type of structure a tax agent/BAS Agent is permitted to have for TPB registration purposes?
• What are the TPB requirements for Registered Tax Agent/BAS Agent Associations and its members including education and work experience? Does a retired member status satisfy these requirements?

This PD will provide practical and concise guidance for all tax practitioners on most aspects of the regime. This PD is suitable for Tax Agents, BAS Agents, Advisors and Accountants.

About the presenter
Maria Benardis FTMA
Maria has over 20 years experience in legal and accounting professional service firms, and has worked with other taxation and accounting professional associations. Prior to joining ATMA, Ms. Benardis worked with leading accounting and industry firms including: Westpac Financial Services, KPMG, Mallesons Stephen Jacques, The Australian Institute of Company Directors, Taxation Institute of Australia and the Institute of Chartered Accountants.
Maria has sat on various ATO Industry & Government committees that included the ATO’s Tax Practitioners Forum, National Tax Liaison Group (NTLG) - FBT and the NTLG - GST Subcommittee. She has also written many articles and business related manuals for various publications and organisations.
Maria holds a Diploma in Business (Accounting) and Degrees in Bachelor of Business a (UTS) and a Master of Taxation Law (UTS).

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