“We’ve temporarily waived the requirement to complete annual declarations for some tax practitioners,” the TPB said in a notice posted on its website.
“If your annual declaration is due on or before 31 December 2020, you do not have to complete it until 2021 or 2022 (if your registration renewal is due in 2021).”
The TPB advised that tax practitioners not able to lodge their registration renewal application on time, should contact them to discuss their situation and make appropriate arrangements.
“You must, however, continue to meet your other obligations around professional indemnity insurance, fit and proper requirements and personal tax obligations,” it said.
CPE activities relaxed
In further news from the board, it announced it has relaxed its professional education policy requirements in light of the COVID-19 impacts.
The TPB explained it will be removing the cap on its CPE policy, currently set at 25 per cent, for relevant technical/professional reading activity until 30 September.
However, tax practitioners are being advised that they must first and foremost, explore and undertake online CPE offerings (as these online activities are becoming more readily available); and keep a log book detailing all the CPE activities undertaken.
“It is important to note that while the 25 per cent professional reading cap has been temporarily lifted, all elements of our CPE requirements still apply,” the TPB said.
This included the number of CPE hours a practitioner must complete over a three-year registration period; the minimum number of CPE hours they are required to undertake annually; and undertaking activities relevant to the services they are registered to provide.
For further information about our CPE policy, visit tpb.gov.au/cpe.
