Responding to an application from the Tax Practitioners Board (TPB), Justice Neil McKerracher of the Federal Court has ordered a Perth-based woman to cease preparing and lodging income tax returns as she is not registered as a tax agent with the TPB.
The TPB’s case included evidence from a number of taxpayers showing that Jessa Van Stroe (also known as Jessa Layola) had illegally charged clients fees to lodge returns on their behalf.
Ms Van Stroe must immediately stop providing these services or risk facing fines, imprisonment, and even seizure of property for contempt of court. Proceedings against Ms Van Stroe remain ongoing, and this order will remain in place until the TPB’s application for penalties is heard.
TPB chair Ian Klug said characterised Ms Van Stroe’s behaviour as reprehensible.
“She has put taxpayers at risk for her own benefit by exposing them to penalties and unpaid taxes which they would be liable to repay,” Mr Klug said.
“The TPB will continue to focus on unregistered preparers who undermine confidence in the services and reputation of the tax profession. These preparers will be targeted and stopped from acting unlawfully.
“This behaviour will not be tolerated and the TPB will work with partner agencies to pursue criminal prosecution of unregistered preparers where there’s a suspicion of fraud.”
Mr Klug noted that the TPB was making increasing use of data-driven technologies to find unregistered preparers.
“They will not go undetected,” Mr Klug said.
He reminded taxpayers who are seeking professional tax advice to check the TPB register to ensure they’re engaging a registered tax practitioner.
