Ballarat tax agent Anthony Quinney banned for three years over professional misconduct

A Ballarat tax agent has been banned for three years after not properly assessing his clients, failing to maintain his own tax obligations, and more.

Ballarat-based tax agent Anthony Quinney has been banned from registration for three years. Picture: File

A Ballarat tax agent has had his licence stripped by his profession’s board for misconduct that prompted at ATO investigation and penalties for clients.

The Tax Practitioners Board has deregistered Anthony Quinney and banned him from registration for three years for making false statements and failing to act with reasonable care and competence.

The TPB found Mr Quinney acted unlawfully and was not fit and proper to hold his tax agent’s licence for failing to take reasonable care in assessing his client’s circumstances, over-claiming GST refunds, noncompliance with his own tax obligations, and making false statements to the TPB.

TPB chair Peter de Cure AM said Mr Quinny’s breaches resulted in a significant Australian Taxation Office investigation and penalties for eight clients.

“Australia’s tax system is built on community trust and confidence, and the integrity of tax practitioners,” he said.

“Those who act unlawfully undermine that bond of trust and impose costs on their clients and the community.’

“ … This case is an important and timely reminder for tax practitioners who have an obligation to act lawfully and keep clients informed.

“When faced with reckless or unreasonable tax claims, ethical tax practitioners will decline to act in order to preserve their credibility and compliance.”