iscoverThe board is taking legal action against an unregistered tax preparer who has been unlawfully providing tax services.
TPB to take unregistered, unlawful tax agent to the Federal Court
18 September 2025
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8 minute read
Court proceedings have commenced in the Federal Court of Australia by the Tax Practitioners Board against unregistered tax agent, Yan Qun Ke.
The TPB revealed in an alert yesterday afternoon (17 September) that it was seeking civil penalties and a court order under the Tax Agent Services Act 2009 (TASA) to stop Ke from providing tax agent services while unregistered.
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The case came to be following allegations that Ke, who had her registration end on 20 November 2017, had continued to offer tax agent services.
These allegations led to the TPB filing an application with the Court on 29 July 2025 following its own investigation into the allegations.
Following the end of her registration in 2017, it was alleged that Ke had continued to prepare and lodge tax returns for the 2021 to 2024 income years, with the TPB also alleging that Ke provided these services to multiple taxpayers in exchange for payments despite not holding a current lawful registration.
Peter de Cure, TPB chair, said registered taxpayers were required to follow the Code of Professional Conduct, which set the standards for honesty, integrity, competence and reasonable care, which requirements were not applicable to individuals who were not registered.
“We protect consumers of tax agent services by regulating tax practitioners, ensuring they meet the appropriate standards of professional and ethical conduct,” he said.
“Ms Ke has been a registered tax agent, but her registration ended some years ago and she has continued to provide services for a fee unlawfully. Addressing the very real issue of unregistered preparers is one of our enduring compliance priorities and is critical to maintaining community trust and confidence in the tax profession and tax and superannuation systems.”
The board pledged to keep a check on tax agents, their registration and their compliance with the code as unregistered preparers posed significant risks to clients and the broader community.
The regulator said: “Individuals who operate without tax practitioner registration have not demonstrated that they meet key requirements in the TASA to be fit and competent to provide tax or BAS agent services, such as holding appropriate qualifications and experience and maintaining professional indemnity insurance.”
On this note, de Cure issued a warning and reminder for all taxpayers when working and dealing with external and professional help.
“Always check the TPB public register and ensure that you are dealing with a tax practitioner who is going to meet the requirements to operate under the law.”
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