As a customer of Mapa Accounting, I confirm that I have been advised of the requirements that must be satisfied before an expense is considered to have been incurred for deductible purposes, together with satisfying the SUBSTANTIATION requirements in relation to:

• work related expenses
• car expenses, and
• business travel expenses

In addition, I have been Informed by you of the need to OBTAIN ORIGINAL RECEIPTS for deductible expenses I wish to claim. I have also been informed of the need to keep my original receipts for a minimum of five years from the date of lodgement of my return carrying details of:

(1) Name of supplier;

(2) Amount of expense;

(3) Nature of goods and services (noting the specific type of items purchased or expenditure incurred which I am able to personally record up to the date of lodgement of my return where not adequately noted by the supplier);

(4) Date of expense (which I am able to personally record where not noted by the suppliers), and

(5) The date of the documents.

Penalties to apply with incorrect returns
I have also been advised by you of the additional tax, penalty charge, general interest charge and possible prosecution action which could be initiated by the ATO if I lodge an incorrect tax return. 

Income from all sources in and out of Australia for the year of Income
You have advised me that I cannot make claim for an amount which is not allowable for income tax purposes and that I must declare income from all sources, in and out of Australia, including net capital gains received for the year of income in my return.

Apportionment
Where items are used for both business and private purposes e.g. car, mobile telephone, home telephone, computer, etc. I advise I have kept appropriate apportionment documents to verify my business usage claim. I can also confirm that my employer will acknowledge that it was necessary for me to incur such expenditure in earning my income. Further, I have instructed you to prepare the return based on my specific instructions on the understanding I will be able to produce such information to the satisfaction of the ATO If called upon in an audit situation.

Audit matters
I further confirm that I am also aware:

1. of the procedures to follow if a document is lost or destroyed;

2. that I may be required to verify any income or expense item noted in my return in an audit situation, and

3. that I understand the Substantiation schedule I should complete for all work, car and travel expense claims under self-assessment, and

4. I have read and understood the return prepared for me.

I declare that.

a) I have disclosed and you have returned all the income, including net capital gains, which I have earned/derived/received for the 2018-19 income year.

b) All the claims for deductions and rebates which have been included in the return are based on my specific instructions and advise that I satisfy the relevant taxation requirements relating to income, expenses and rebates.

c) That, if in any case, I did not have the receipts to substantiate the above claims at our interview, I confirm to be in existence prior to lodgement of this return, I will make them available if required by the Tax Office; and

d)            That you have clarified what written evidence, including car/travel records will be required during an audit   and penalties (including prosecution) that may be applied If incorrect claims are identified in an audit situation.

 Objectives and Scope of the Engagement

We will conduct the services listed below in accordance with the relevant professional and ethical standards issued by the Accounting Professional and Ethical Standards Board (APESB) and the Tax Agent Services Act 2009. Our services are limited to those listed only, we will not perform any audit or review and accordingly, no assurance will be expressed.

We will provide copies of your Company Tax Returns, along with copies of all supporting documents to the Australian Taxation Office for the financial years.

Professional Standards in Relation to Taxation Services

As required by Accounting Professional and Ethical Standard APES 220 – Taxation Services we make the following statement regarding taxation services:

• The responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of the particulars and information provided by you rests with you;

• Any advice given to you in the course of the above services is only an opinion based on our knowledge of your particular circumstances; and

• As a taxpayer, you have obligations under self-assessment to keep full and proper records in order to facilitate the preparation of accurate returns.

Conflict of Interest

Prior to entering the engagement and during the engagement we will attempt to ensure there is no conflict of interest.

You must immediately advise us if, during the engagement you become aware of any conflict of interest or potential conflict of interest or there is a change of circumstances which may result in a conflict.

If a conflict of interest does arise during the engagement, we will take appropriate steps to resolve the conflict as agreed by all parties involved and permitted by law.

Limitation of Liability

Our liability is limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation. Further information on the scheme is available from the Professional Standards Council’s website http://www.professionalstandardscouncil.gov.au.

Your Responsibilities

You are responsible for the accuracy and completeness of the details and information you provide to us and disclosure of all material and relevant information. This includes informing us of any change in your circumstances and advising us of any subsequent event which may affect the accuracy and completeness of the information provided.

We may ask questions of you regarding the information provided. You are responsible for providing accurate and complete responses to our questions within a reasonable time. This should not be taken as meaning that we will verify the accuracy and completeness of the information provided.

The taxation law provides you with “safe harbours” from penalties for incorrect or late tax returns if you provide “all relevant taxation information” to us in a timely manner. Failure to discharge the responsibilities described above may mean that you are not eligible for that “safe harbour” protection.

Our Responsibilities

Information acquired by us in the course of this engagement is subject to strict confidentiality requirements and we will not disclose that information to other parties except as required or allowed by law, or with your written consent.

We will advise you of your rights, obligations and options available to you under taxation laws. We may also provide you with advice on the application of taxation laws, including any possible penalties and other consequences to enable you to make an informed decision of the course of action that may be taken.

Taxation laws change frequently. All advice will be based on the current law at the time the advice is provided. It is your responsibility to obtain updated advice in relation to actual or proposed transactions entered at a later time.

We will act in your best interests at all times, subject to the overriding requirement that we must comply with the law. For example, we would be unable to lodge a tax return for you that we knew to contain a false or misleading statement.

Our firm’s quality control procedures have been established and maintained in accordance with APES 320 – Quality Control for Firms and, as a result, our files may be subject to review under the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia quality control review program. By accepting our engagement, you acknowledge that, if requested, our files relating to this engagement will be made available under this program. We will advise you if this should occur. \

Fees

In accordance with our quality assurance procedures, we will inform you of fees prior to commencement.

Ownership of Documents

All original documents obtained from you in respect to this engagement shall remain your property; however we reserve the right to make copies of the original documents for our records.

Ownership of the tax returns produced as part of this engagement will vest in you. All other documentation produced by us in respect of the engagement will remain the property of the firm.