Former tax agent Gavin Swan has been sentenced to five years in prison, with a non-parole period of three years, for fraudulent behavior and dealing with the proceeds of crime. Additionally, Mr. Swan has been ordered to repay $600,000 to his victims.
Peter de Cure AM, Chair of the Tax Practitioners Board (TPB), remarked, “This case involved fraudulent activities, including the theft and money laundering of approximately $600,000 from over 100 vulnerable clients.”
In 2022, the TPB acted promptly in response to information received from the community and the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) to protect clients and investigate Mr. Swan’s misconduct. The investigation involved Mr. Swan and an associated entity, Absolute Accounting Services, located on the Central Coast of NSW. It revealed that Mr. Swan misled his clients, the TPB, and the ATO, failing to meet his professional obligations. As a result, both Mr. Swan and Absolute Accounting’s registrations were terminated, and he was excluded from practice for the maximum period of five years.
Following a subsequent investigation by NSW Police, Mr. Swan pleaded guilty to charges of fraud and money laundering.
“Tax professionals hold a privileged position in serving clients and the community,” stated Mr. de Cure. “We support timely civil actions to protect clients and will continue collaborating with law enforcement agencies to combat fraud and money laundering, which undermine integrity and trust in the system.”
Mr. de Cure emphasized, “Fraud thrives in darkness and deceit. That’s why the TPB advocates for reforms that enhance transparency in the tax profession, including significant breach reporting, whistleblower protections, and swift actions to address false and misleading statements.”
He concluded by reminding tax practitioners and professional associations of the importance of engaging with the TPB in a timely, cooperative, and transparent manner to address misconduct and improve professional standards, ensuring a level playing field for all.

Source: Australian Government Tax Practitioners Board (https://www.tpb.gov.au/home)
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