Six accountants banned, seven suspended over Covid rorts

Six accountants, including one who impersonated clients, have been kicked out of the profession over rorts related to Covid relief and stimulus measures.

The Tax Practicioners Board is ramping up its investigations of Covid-19-related rorts by accountants. Picture: Supplied

Six accountants have had their licence to practice revoked by the industry regulator over Covid-related misconduct concerning the JobKeeper scheme and other pandemic stimulus measures.

The Tax Practitioners Board also suspended another seven accountants for misbehaviour and misconduct related to pandemic schemes.

The TPB regulates all accountants who deal in tax matters.

On Monday the TPB hit NAW accountant Maricar Santos Rosauro with a five-year ban after finding she impersonated clients and submitted 43 unlawful claims for JobKeeper.

The tax practitioner was found to have submitted over 100 business activity statements for clients without obtaining the necessary prior approval.

The TPB also found Ms Rosauro received $550,000 from the scheme, which she used to fund her own personal and business expenses.

The regulator also found Ms Rosauro made false statements to the TPB and had assumed the identity of clients to make dishonest claims for JobKeeper through the MyGov platform.

Ms Rosauro’s behaviour was picked up after the Australian Taxation Office made a referral to the TPB.

TPB chair Ian Klug said Ms Rosauro had demonstrated appalling behaviour in misusing the JobKeeper scheme.

“She jeopardised her clients and the overall integrity of the taxation system,” he said.

“The TPB acknowledges that the initial introduction of the Covid stimulus measures presented a difficult time for tax practitioners and their clients.”

“Tax practitioners however hold a significant position of trust to assist in administering the Covid stimulus measures and Ms Rosauro deliberately took advantage of this position to dishonestly derive benefits for herself.”

Mr Klug warned the regulator had other tax practitioners in its sights for misuse of stimulus schemes.

“This decision, and ongoing matters, makes it clear to other tax practitioners and the community that such egregious and fraudulent behaviour will be met with appropriate sanctions to ensure both taxation system and the public are protected,” he said.

The TPB is currently investigating another 99 Covid-19-related cases including incompetence or practitioner error, or recklessly or fraudulently making claims for themselves or on behalf of clients.