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A former BAS agent has now been sentenced to three years in jail for fraudulently obtaining close to $200,000 through false business activity statements.
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Deregistered agent jailed for $200k tax fraud
27 July 2020
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The Brisbane District Court has sentenced Gold Coast-based Alana Hodge to three years in jail for fraudulently obtaining $192,140 from the ATO.
She has been ordered to pay $158,845 in reparations.
Ms Hodge was a former registered BAS agent employed by seven businesses who went on to lodge 47 false BAS and amendments without their knowledge between 2015 and 2017.
According to the Tax Office, she had also changed her clients’ bank account details and contact information in the ATO business portal.
Ms Hodge had attempted to obtain a further $65,056 in GST refunds but was thwarted by a tip-off to the ATO from one of her clients’ accountant.
The Tax Practitioners Board terminated Ms Hodge’s registration in October 2018 and banned her for the maximum five-year term.
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ATO assistant commissioner Adam Kendrick said that while tax and BAS agents played a vital role in protecting the integrity of the Australian tax and super systems, it would work closely with the TPB to address dishonest behaviour.
“The ATO knows that the majority of registered agents do the right thing, but unfortunately, there are some agents who take advantage of their clients for financial benefit,” Mr Kendrick said.
“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 and Tax Practitioners Board to work together to maintain the integrity of the tax profession and identify those who try to undermine their trusted position.”
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