TPB provides guidance on reforms to sanctions powers
Tax Practitioners Board
The Treasury Laws Amendment (Strengthening Accountability for Tax Adviser Misconduct and Other Measures) Bill 2026 has received Royal Assent, providing for an enhanced sanctions framework for the Tax Practitioners Board (TPB).
The TPB has published information about the new sanctions powers that will enable the TPB to respond more effectively to serious misconduct and non-compliance by registered tax practitioners and unregistered entities.
The reforms provide the TPB with additional powers to ensure compliance action under the Tax Agent Services Act 2009 (TASA) is proportionate to the seriousness of the conduct, while continuing to support tax practitioners who meet their professional and ethical obligations.
From 1 October 2026, the TPB will have access to an enhanced compliance and enforcement toolkit, including:
- new criminal penalties for unregistered entities
- new civil penalties for:
- breaches of the Code of Professional Conduct by registered tax practitioners, and
- false or misleading statements made by unregistered entities
- increased maximum civil penalty amounts
- infringement notices for contraventions or alleged contraventions of certain civil penalty provisions
- enforceable undertakings in relation to compliance with the TASA
- contingent suspension powers for registered tax practitioners who fail to comply with certain registration requirements
- interim suspension powers where an immediate response for serious and high-risk misconduct is required
- extension of the maximum non-application (banning) period following termination of registration from 5 years to 10 years.
TPB Chair Peter de Cure AM said, the enhanced sanctions framework provides the TPB with a broader range of regulatory tools that should strengthen consumer protection and support confidence in the tax profession.
“The enhanced sanctions framework gives the TPB greater flexibility to take action that reflects the seriousness of the conduct and the level of risk it presents,” Mr de Cure said.
‘The vast majority of registered tax practitioners fulfil their professional and ethical obligations and should not be concerned by these reforms. Our focus is on addressing serious misconduct and higher-risk behaviour, while continuing to support tax practitioners who maintain high professional and ethical standards.’
‘We will take a measured, proportionate and risk-based approach to using the additional sanctions, consistent with our broader regulatory approach and our commitment to protecting consumers and maintaining confidence in the tax profession.’
The TPB will support tax practitioners and other stakeholders to understand the new requirements through guidance, education and engagement activities. ‘We are committed to working closely with the profession to ensure tax practitioners understand the changes and what they mean in practice,’ Mr de Cure said.
Additional guidance materials and resources about the enhanced sanctions framework are being prepared and will be published on the TPB website in coming months to support registered tax practitioners as the reforms are implemented and keep the broader tax profession informed.
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The TPB regulates tax practitioners to protect consumers and ensure the integrity of the profession and the tax system. The TPB aims to assure the community that tax practitioners meet appropriate standards of professional and ethical conduct. Follow us on LinkedIn and Facebook.