"Ajen is an accountant who is down to earth and genuinely interested in their clients prospering."
"As a trusted advisor you guided our business back on course when the outlook was far from positive and we look forward to your continued assistance into the future"
"His attitude towards his work and my portfolio has been exemplary. He always finds time for me at short notice and is a benefit to all."
"Ajen always has a high standard of professional manner. He continued to give me good advice and is a reliable person, helpful in sorting out problems and finding solutions easily."
"Ajendra has made himself available sometimes even after normal business hours, to assist us with any questions we have, even when sometimes they may have seemed silly or simple, he has answered in full and easy to understand terminology, at no point has he ever made me feel silly for asking."
"He is always accessible to speak with and even calls me to ask if I need help with anything."
"Ajendra's willingness to dedicate "caring time" to his clients sets him apart from others."
"I am confident to refer friends and family to his team because I know they are in the most capable hands. Ajendra’s honest, caring and upbeat nature has been an absolute godsend and I am so thankful that our paths crossed"
"Ajendra’s speaks with you in a language that you can understand and comprehend easily which assists in equity and partnership with your tax agent."
"We find you have a personal approach to your accounting practice, which makes everyone feel like number 1. This is a rare and special trait, and leaves us knowing we are in good hands."
"He is very astute, and at the same time down to earth and really interested in his clients prospering. For people like us who are new to small business this is an absolute god sent."
"He shows a genuine interest and I never feel rushed. He has created a warm and friendly environement."

Raids stop $33m in tax avoidance, ATO claims

Charges are pending following an operation with the Australian Federal Police (AFP) that uncovered 70 sales systems using suppression technology.

.

The ATO has stopped an estimated $33 million in tax avoidance after raids on dozens of retailers suspected of using electronic sales suppression tools (ESST).

Conducted with the AFP, the raids recovered 70 point-of-sales systems suspected of using ESST and charges were pending, the ATO said.

The operation was part of a global effort by the Joint Chiefs of Global Tax Enforcement (J5) with the search and seizure action coordinated with similar raids in the US and UK.

ATO deputy commissioner and J5 chief John Ford said: “These dodgy sales suppression tools allow retailers to keep a separate set of books and launder the money in one transaction.

“They conceal and transfer this income anonymously, sometimes offshore.”

Mr Ford said a point of sale system with ESST could change a fine dining experience to read like a fast food snack.

“So what might happen is that the customer orders a $60 steak and a $100 bottle of wine and the ESS tool then puts it through the point-of-sale system as a $10 bowl of chips and a $4 bottle of soft drink,” he said.

“Adding ESST to your point of sale system is a deliberate and underhanded act designed purely to under-report income and avoid tax obligations.”

The ATO said the raids of 35 separate premises nationwide suspected of using ESST had prevented tax avoidance of around $33 million, and investigations with the AFP were ongoing.

Mr Ford said businesses using or promoting this technology were effectively stealing from the Australian community and international co-operation meant thieves could not avoid detection.

“Through the international collaboration, we have access to a global network of intelligence analysts and investigators — it’s only a matter of time before you’re caught by us, or one of our partners,” said Mr Ford.

“We’ve seen ESSTs appear in hardware connected to the point of sales system, cloud-based software, and capability built directly into the software.”

The ATO encouraged businesses using ESST to come forward voluntarily as those that do could be provided with a reduction in penalties.

 

Josh Needs
13 December 2022

accountantsdaily.com.au

Want to know more?

Do you have a question about something you've read in this article? Need more information? Want to book an appointment? Simply let us know below and we'll get back to you ASAP.