Tax Practitioner Registration Will Be Terminated
The Tax Practitioners Board has ordered a three-year ban on Xero Taxation Pty Ltd starting 16 July 2027.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Taxes
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The Tax Practitioners Board has moved to terminate the tax agent registration of Xero Taxation Pty Ltd effective 16 July 2027. The company is prohibited from reapplying for registration for three years due to serious failures in professional conduct.
Why it matters
This action addresses significant breaches of the professional code of conduct, including unauthorised access to tax assessments and the redirection of client refunds. These findings highlight risks to taxpayer integrity when agents fail to maintain honest supervision and identity verification processes.
The firm faced a three-year prohibition from re-registration after investigations revealed systemic failures in proof-of-identity checks. The company had previously established contract terms allowing it to deduct fees from client refunds for a duration of 10 years.
The players
Tax Practitioners Board
This is the national Australian body responsible for regulating tax practitioners to ensure consumer protection and professional integrity.
Xero Taxation Pty Ltd
This is a tax agency that has been barred from registration following findings of unauthorised conduct and financial mismanagement.
Mona Makan
As a director of Xero Taxation Pty Ltd, she was identified by regulators as an individual who is not a fit and proper person for tax practice.
Presh Batra
As a director of Xero Taxation Pty Ltd, he was identified by regulators as an individual who is not a fit and proper person for tax practice.
The details
The regulatory board concluded that directors Mona Makan and Presh Batra are not fit and proper persons to manage tax affairs. Evidence indicated the firm engaged in unauthorised tax return lodgements, maintained false documentation, and manipulated bank account details.
Timeline
15 July 2026: Xero Taxation Pty Ltd applied for an administrative review.
16 July 2027: Termination of the company's tax agent registration takes effect.
16 July 2029: The period of prohibition from re-registration concludes.
Market Dynamics
This enforcement action follows a pattern of strict oversight set by the Tax Agent Services Act 2009 professional code of conduct. It reflects a broader trend of regulatory bodies tightening control over tax agents to protect consumers from financial malfeasance.
Taxpayers who utilised the services of this firm should verify their own tax records and ATO assessments to ensure their filings remain accurate. Those affected should monitor the status of any pending refunds that may have been directed to the firm's trust account.
The takeaway
Maintaining personal oversight of your tax agent is essential to ensure your financial identity remains secure. Always verify that your bank account details and tax returns are submitted by an authorised and currently registered professional.
Further reading
For more information on regulatory standards, visit the Australia Taxes section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by AccountantsDaily.
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