TASA reforms made simple: Handle identity checks with ease

The accounting and tax advisory industry in Australia is about to enter a new era of regulation. 

From 1 July 2025, registered tax and BAS agents at firms with fewer than 100 staff will be required to verify the identity of every new client they work with, no exceptions. The same goes for existing clients whenever there’s a change in the way they work.

Note: For larger firms (100+ staff), this requirement has been in effect since 1 January 2025.

This shift probably sounds like added red tape, but with it comes an opportunity to raise the bar on client service.

Secure client portals like Content Snare make it easy to stay compliant without sacrificing productivity or client experience. In fact, businesses using Content Snare have reported a 67% reduction in stalled projects and a 71% drop in time spent gathering client information - freeing accountants to focus on high-value advisory work.

In this post, we’ll take a closer look at what the Tax Agent Services Act (TASA) changes involve and how you can improve the process using smart technology.

TASA requirements at a glance

TASA has been updated to introduce a new Code of Professional Conduct, applying to all registered tax and BAS agents in Australia. The reforms, overseen by the Tax Practitioners Board (TPB), should improve integrity, transparency, and accountability in the profession.

The rollout is staggered: firms with 100 or more staff have been required to comply since 1 January 2025. For all others, full compliance (including identity verification) is required by 1 July 2025. These changes represent a shift toward higher standards and more formalised processes.

The importance of ID Verification

The biggest change coming under the new TASA rules is the requirement to verify your clients' identities before doing any work like preparing or lodging a return. From July, this won’t just be best practice, but also a legal requirement. The goal is simple: cut down on fraud and make sure tax professionals are dealing with the right people from the outset.

But before you panic, here’s what the rule actually means:

• New clients: The focus is on new clients moving forward, as you’ll need to verify their identity before doing any lodgement work.

• Existing clients: You need to verify their identities only if something changes, like they set up a new business, change their bank details, or there’s a red flag like an unusually large refund claim.

In other words, there’s no need to go back and re-check every single client you’ve ever worked with. If nothing’s changed and there’s no reason to worry, you’re in the clear. However, you do need to carefully track the changes and stay alert.

Note: For existing clients, the guidelines suggest that you make an assessment of whether or not to conduct an ID check, and record the factors you used in that decision.

In the following section, we’ll show you that identity verification doesn’t have to create extra work with the right system in place.

The easy way to verify clients: Content Snare

ID verification doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. With Content Snare, it’s as easy as adding a single field to your existing client request. Because it’s integrated directly into Content Snare’s customizable request templates and branded client portals, the process feels seamless for your clients,  even those less tech-savvy.

Here’s how it works: you simply include an ID Verification field in your client intake form. 

That’s it. That’s the whole process.

Your client will see clear instructions, upload a government-issued ID or complete a quick biometric scan, and the verification is done within a secure and professional environment:

There’s no back-and-forth and certainly no need for separate client verification tools. 

With ISO 27001 certification and military-grade encryption, Content Snare provides one of the most secure client onboarding experiences available, trusted by over 1,600 businesses across accounting, legal, and financial services globally.

The best part is that ID verification isn’t a separate task. It’s built right into the platform’s usual client onboarding and document collection workflow. Whether you’re gathering tax file numbers or business details, everything happens in one place, with clear instructions and automated reminders to keep things moving.

The deadline is approaching, so sign up for a free 14-day trial right now to see Content Snare in action.  

FAQ

When do the new TASA identity verification rules take effect?

The new TASA identity verification rules already apply to firms with 100 or more staff (since 1 January 2025). For smaller firms, the requirement becomes mandatory on 1 July 2025. In both cases, all new clients must be verified before any work begins, and existing clients must be reassessed when changes occur.

Is Content Snare a secure platform for identity verification?

Yes. Content Snare is ISO 27001 certified and uses military-grade encryption to protect sensitive client information. The platform’s security and compliance features make it one of the most trusted onboarding tools among accounting and tax professionals.

How does Content Snare improve client communication?

Content Snare keeps everything in one place. Clients receive clear instructions, automated reminders, and an easy-to-use interface that guides them through exactly what they need to provide. This makes the entire onboarding and verification process faster and far less stressful for everyone involved.