Seventy-four tax practitioners have found themselves in trouble with the Tax Practitioners Board (TPB) over lodging incorrect “and perhaps fraudulent” self-managed superannuation fund (SMSF) annual returns.
The TPB said the 74, representing 106 SMSFs, had been identified as part of an Australian Taxation Office (ATO) compliance campaign.
TPB chairman, Ian Klug said the TPB would be demanding an explanation from all 74 tax practitioners.
“Misconduct or failure to adequately respond to the TPB’s inquiries is a breach of the Code of Professional Conduct and may result in imposition of sanctions including suspension or termination of registration,” he said.
“SMSFs are an important component of Australia’s taxation and superannuation system and SMSF auditors play a critical role in ensuring the integrity of the system through the annual audits of SMSFs. These audits must be completed by an approved SMSF auditor before an SMSF annual return can be lodged.”
“SMSF trustees rely on their superannuation savings to fund their retirement. The Australian government relies on regulators like the TPB, the ATO and tax practitioners to ensure that these funds are properly managed.”
As the Australian financial landscape faces increasing scrutiny from regulators, superannuation fund leaders are doubling down on their support for private markets, arguing these investments are not just necessary but critical for long-term financial stability.
Australian Retirement Trust (ART) is leaning on its private asset allocation to help shield members from ongoing market volatility, as its chief economist stresses the importance of long-term thinking and diversification.
AustralianSuper is poised to cement its leadership in the superannuation landscape over the next five years, with fresh research forecasting a sharp shift in the sector’s power dynamics.
The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has warned that significant liquidity pressures could arise in the superannuation sector if multiple risks materialise at once, potentially amplifying shocks in the financial system.