Earn
$180k all for himself: Tax fraudster took advantage of clients
A Mount Druitt tax professional will spend time behind bars after he was found to be lodging false tax return amendments on behalf of clients without their knowledge.
$180k all for himself: Tax fraudster took advantage of clients
A Mount Druitt tax professional will spend time behind bars after he was found to be lodging false tax return amendments on behalf of clients without their knowledge.

These claims, which mostly related to car and medical expenses, resulted in an extra $156,000 in refunds that went straight to his bank account, the Australian Taxation Office has reported.
Mr Hussain Nazeer was formerly a registered Business Activity Statement (BAS) agent and had also lodged 22 fraudulent income tax returns for 14 clients between 2010 and 2013, resulting in $23,000 in refunds he also kept for himself.
According to a statement, Mr Nazeer’s clients had all provided honest information about their income and deductions, but he had submitted different information in their returns.
He was sentenced to one year and eight months jail in the Sydney District Court after pleading guilty “to dishonestly causing a loss to the Commonwealth of nearly $180,000 by lodging false income tax returns and amendments without his clients’ knowledge”.

Mr Nazeer will also be required to pay $179,826 in reparation.
Commenting on the court decision, assistant commissioner Adam Kendrick welcomed the sentence, while acknowledging that tax and BAS agents play a vital role in contributing to and protecting the integrity of the Australian tax and super systems.
“The majority of registered agents do the right thing, but unfortunately there are some agents who take advantage of their trusted position for financial benefit,” he outlined.
“As demonstrated in today’s case, even registered tax professionals can be dishonest and take advantage of their clients. That is why it’s important for the ATO to maintain the integrity of the tax profession and weed out those who try to undermine their trusted position.”
Mr Kendrick flagged that the ATO has a program dedicated to identifying and addressing agents whose behaviour has an immediate and ongoing threat to the integrity of the tax and super systems, their clients and the wider Australian community.
“Mr Nazeer’s actions showed a complete disregard for not only the law, but also his clients’ trust by lodging fraudulent tax returns and amendments in their names,” he concluded.
Mr Nazeer is no longer registered with the Tax Practitioners Board and has not been since April 2016.
The ATO reminded taxpayers that anyone who is concerned about the conduct of a tax practitioner can report them to the TPB here.
About the author

About the author


Tax refund
The ATO will be focusing on these four issues at tax time
The tax office has indicated it will be scrutinising areas where taxpayers are known to make mistakes. Read more

Tax refund
More than half of Aussies get stressed at tax time, survey finds
Many taxpayers feel that they may be missing out on deductions in their tax returns. Read more

Tax refund
Engage or face firmer action, ATO warns taxpayers with unpaid debts
The tax office is offering support and assistance to those with overdue debts. Read more

Tax refund
How to prepare for your tax return
While the end of the financial year is still a couple of months away, you can take action now to help maximise your tax return. Read more

Tax refund
What issues will be on the ATO’s radar this year?
H&R Block has outlined two main areas that the tax office is expected to focus on. Read more

Tax refund
How does the expanded low and middle income tax offset work?
Millions of taxpayers will receive hundreds of dollars more in their tax return this year. Read more

Tax refund
Why 90% of taxpayers could face a higher tax bill next financial year
A tax offset for over 10 million Aussies may not be extended in next month’s budget. Read more

Tax refund
PM ponders extension of low and middle income tax offset
Scott Morrison has hinted that a popular tax-saving measure may return in 2022. Read more

Tax refund
The ATO will be focusing on these four issues at tax time
The tax office has indicated it will be scrutinising areas where taxpayers are known to make mistakes. Read more

Tax refund
More than half of Aussies get stressed at tax time, survey finds
Many taxpayers feel that they may be missing out on deductions in their tax returns. Read more

Tax refund
Engage or face firmer action, ATO warns taxpayers with unpaid debts
The tax office is offering support and assistance to those with overdue debts. Read more

Tax refund
How to prepare for your tax return
While the end of the financial year is still a couple of months away, you can take action now to help maximise your tax return. Read more

Tax refund
What issues will be on the ATO’s radar this year?
H&R Block has outlined two main areas that the tax office is expected to focus on. Read more

Tax refund
How does the expanded low and middle income tax offset work?
Millions of taxpayers will receive hundreds of dollars more in their tax return this year. Read more

Tax refund
Why 90% of taxpayers could face a higher tax bill next financial year
A tax offset for over 10 million Aussies may not be extended in next month’s budget. Read more

Tax refund
PM ponders extension of low and middle income tax offset
Scott Morrison has hinted that a popular tax-saving measure may return in 2022. Read more