<strong>Period of Effect:</strong> 21/09/2023 to 21/09/2028<br/><strong>Reason:</strong> 40-25 Period during which you may not apply for registration
Suspension
None on record
Termination
<strong>Date of Effect:</strong> 21/09/2023<br/><strong>Reason:</strong> 40-5(1)(b) individual no longer meets registration requirements[POPUP_FOR_DETAILS]<br/><strong>Code breach(es):</strong> <ul><li>30-10(1) - You must act honestly and with integrity</li><li>30-10(2) - You must comply with the taxation laws in the conduct of your personal affairs</li><li>30-10(7) - You must ensure that a tax agent service that you provide, or that is provided on your behalf, is provided competently</li><li>30-10(13) - You must maintain professional indemnity insurance that meets the Board's requirements</li><li>30-10(14) - You must respond to requests and directions from the Board in a timely, responsible and reasonable manner</li></ul><br/><strong>Registration requirement not met:</strong> <ul><li>20-5(1)(a) Individual has ceased to meet registration requirement that they are a fit and proper person</li><li>20-5(1)(c) Individual has ceased to meet registration requirement that they maintain professional indemnity insurance that meets the Board's requirements</li></ul><br/><strong>Explanation:</strong> On 10 August 2023, after completing an investigation, the Tax Practitioners Board (Board) decided to terminate the tax agent registration of Mr David Lawton. The Board found that Mr Lawton breached subsections 30-10(1), 30-10(2), 30-10(7), 30-10(13) and 30-10(14) of the Code of Professional Conduct (the Code) in the Tax Agent Services Act 2009 (TASA).<br>The Board also determined that Mr Lawton was no longer eligible for registration as he no longer satisfied the Board that he met the registration requirements to be a fit and proper person and hold Professional Indemnity Insurance (PII). The Board also imposed a period of five (5) years during which Mr Lawton may not apply for registration.<br>The Board found that David Lawton breached the Code by:<br>1. Failing to act honestly and with integrity by:<br>a. making false statements in written declarations to the Board.<br>b. falsifying an invoice in relation to services provided to a client.<br>2. Failing to comply with personal taxation obligations for himself and four related entities.<br>3. Failing to ensure a tax agent service was provided competently by:<br>a. Failing to lodge income tax returns and BAS on behalf of two clients.<br>b. Failing to advise a client that it was being audited by the ATO.<br>c. Failing to respond to phone and email enquiries from two clients.<br>4. Failing to respond to requests and directions from the Board.<br>5. Failing to maintain PII that meets the Board’s requirements.<br>