No star rating
I have serious issues regarding this organisation:
1 Big Jump in Charges
I am now retired and, as a consequence, I am unable to claim virtually any deductions. The work involved in preparation of my tax return has reduced substantially. Notwithstanding this important change in circumstance, I was charged nearly 50% more for last year’s tax return. So, considerably less work resulting in considerably greater fees. Hmmm. This scenario is beyond my understanding.
2 Unconscionable Delay is Refunding Fees
I arranged for my invoice to be paid via the “pay my bill” option. Although I received notice that payment was scheduled, I received no confirmation of payment on the due date. To avoid late payment fees, I transferred funds into the nominated account. It was only by pure chance that, a week later, I discovered the “pay my bill’ Payment had been processed, ie, I had paid twice. I rang the business and explained what had happened and was then requested to provide my bank account details so the overpayment refund could be processed. When no refund was received, I made a further enquiry and was informed that the refund would not be processed for a month, as the business only makes payments at the end of a month. ASTOUNDING and APPALLING! My emails demanding immediate payment were ignored and, it was only after the threat of legal action, that I received a reply. Significantly, the refund still was not paid until the end of the month. So, because the business did not provide confirmation of payment – contrary to its communications stating that confirmation will be provided – a double payment occurred AND I was left OUT OF POCKET for a month!!
Oh, and if what I am saying regarding communications being ignored and/or refund arrangements being unilaterally cancelled by the business is disputed, I am happy to provide copies of supporting emails to verify my statements.
3 Who is the service provider?
As a consequence of confusion about the identity of the entity that rendered my invoice, I made a number of enquiries and searches. According to information on the ATO website, the supplier of the goods or services is supposed to provide, amongst other information, details of its identity and its ABN. My invoice was rendered by “The Practice Pty Ltd.” The name of the bank account for payment of fees is also “The Practice Pty Ltd.” HOWEVER, the ABN for “The Practice Pty Ltd” is 96 081 017 174, whereas the ABN detailed on my invoice is 20 353 047 681. That ABN is actually registered to an entity known as “The JR Unit Trust,” which is not listed anywhere on my invoice. Further, registration of the business name, “The Practice” – which was owned by The Practice Pty Ltd – was cancelled in 2005. So … EITHER my invoice was rendered by a Unit Trust (!) which, interestingly, has a trading name – as distinct from a registered business name - of “The Practice” but which entity is not referred to anywhere on my invoice, OR, “The Practice Pty Ltd” - the company that received my payment -has chosen to list the ABN of a third party on my invoice, a practice (excuse the pun) that does not seem to accord with the requirements listed on the ATO’s website. I would have contacted “The Practice” but past history suggests I would be ignored.
Oh, and if “The Practice” or “The Practice Pty Ltd” of “The JR Trust” or whatever other entity may be involved wants to dispute what I have raised, I am happy to post the information from the ATO website as well as the ABN and ASIC searches that I obtained whilst trying to work out (unsuccessfully, I might add) the identity of the party rendering the invoice.
4 The organisation subsequently stated that I should "feel free to contact" it to discuss the my issues. I am not sure what mode of contact is contemplated by The Practice because (1) emails sent by me to The Practice were ignored, and (2) although I made a call to the Practice Manager on 2 March 2026 requesting a return call (and my phone records log my call to the organisation on that date), no return call was ever received. Interestingly,(1) the Accounts Department eventually sent an email, but only after the threat of legal action; and, (2) the practice manager was able to find the time to call me, but only after my concerns were made public.