What is a Public Officer?
Under Australian taxation law, every company carrying on business or deriving property income in Australia must have a public officer (unless the company is specifically exempted). The company must appoint a public officer within 3 months of the company: • Commencing to carry on business; or • First earning income in Australia. The public officer must be at least 18 and must live in Australia. The public officer is responsible for ensuring that the company pays the correct amount of tax. If a company is in default, then the public officer is liable to pay any penalties. However, the public officer is not personally liable for payment of tax due by the company.
