Joint media release between the Australian Taxation Office and the Tax Practitioners Board
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) and the Tax Practitioners Board (TPB) are focused on measures to intercept attempted identity fraud targeted at registered tax practitioners and their clients. New guidelines will strengthen and modernise the practices and controls that registered tax practitioners follow when verifying the identity of their clients.
The ATO has seen an increase in attempts by criminals to commit refund fraud by stealing the identities of taxpayers which has coincided with an increased reliance on technology and remote working practices. Having your identity compromised can have devastating financial consequences.