Tax Practitioners Board Gains Enhanced Enforcement Powers Under New Act

The Tax Practitioners Board (TPB) has been granted enhanced enforcement powers under the Tax Agent Services Act 2009, following the Royal Assent of the Treasury Laws Amendment (Strengthening Accountability for Tax Adviser Misconduct and Other Measures) Bill 2026. These amendments provide the TPB with broader powers to address serious misconduct and regulatory non-compliance among both registered tax advisers and unregistered operators. The new framework introduces criminal penalties for unregistered bodies, effective October 1, 2026.

The updated compliance framework allows the TPB to issue infringement notices for civil breaches and secure enforceable undertakings related to TASA compliance. Civil penalties will apply to registered practitioners who breach the Code of Professional Conduct, while maximum civil penalty thresholds are set to increase.