Tax Agent

A registered tax agent is a professional who is authorised by the Tax Practitioners Board (TPB) to provide tax advice, prepare tax returns, and deal with the ATO on your behalf. Using a registered tax agent gives you an extended lodgement deadline — typically until 15 May the following year, compared to 31 October for self-lodgers. Their fees are also tax-deductible in the year you pay them.

Tax agents must meet qualifications requirements (typically a degree in accounting or tax law), pass a fit-and-proper-person test, maintain professional indemnity insurance, and complete ongoing continuing professional education. You can verify whether someone is a registered tax agent on the TPB website (tpb.gov.au).

Using a tax agent is advisable if you have complex tax affairs such as rental properties, capital gains events, business income, foreign income, or if you want to maximise your deductions. Be wary of unregistered preparers who may offer cheap services — they are not legally allowed to charge a fee for preparing your return, and you have no consumer protections if something goes wrong.