ITP 50 years strong

50 Years Strong

In 1971, only one in five Australian taxpayers could afford professional help with their returns. Of the country's 5.4 million taxpayers, the vast majority found tax agents' fees out of reach. At the time, tax expertise was a privilege reserved for corporations and their executives, with only six major firms and a few local practices controlling the market. John Bailey saw this as unfair and set about making a change.

This simple dream of making tax services accessible to all Australians quickly expanded. Now serving over 200,000 Australians and claiming over $1B+ in deductions each year, ITP has become one of the country’s most trusted tax and accountancy service providers.

July 1971 saw the opening of our first branch in Rockdale NSW. Now 50 years later, with more than 1,500 employees across Australia, ITP still leads the industry with a proven track record for providing the best tax return service at an affordable price for everyday Australians.

Over time, ITP The Income Tax Professionals became ITP Accounting Professionals. More than just a name change, this upgrade reflects the expanded services ITP now offers. Half a century of serving Australians has taught us that financial success takes more than just tax expertise. Today, our dedicated team provides comprehensive support – from financial planning and SMSF management to home loans and bookkeeping – helping individuals and small businesses thrive at every stage of their journey

As we celebrate this milestone, we wanted to take a moment to reflect on where we’ve come from and where we are today.

YOUNG BEGINNINGS

John Bailey was born in 1944, the son of Walter John Bailey 2nd and Davidina Tarbert. Along with siblings Beatrice, Dale, John, Ronald, Stephen, and Kay, he went to Clemton Park Primary School in Canterbury New South Wales. John went on to Enmore Boys High and achieved his Leaving Certificate in 1960 at only 16 years old – a year ahead of most.

However, it was a simple moment with his father at the kitchen table that truly shaped John's future. When his dad – who had weathered the Depression through his accounting career – showed a teenage John the abundance of accounting jobs in the newspaper, it sparked a revelation. Blessed with a natural talent for numbers, John knew at that moment that he'd found his calling.

CATALYST FOR GROWTH

During his time as a missionary in New York, John served in The Bronx, Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and Long Island. There, he observed life and struggle of a different kind. His already compassionate nature flourished, and the experiences he had there left him forever changed.

Drawing from his employment with the ATO and familiarity with companies in the US, he set himself a goal: to one day provide better, more affordable tax help to everyday Australians. This goal quickly became a burning desire.

A First Chance

John’s life changed drastically when, in March 1971, a man from Utah named Monte Nelson called John’s father to discuss the taxation situation in Australia. Monte owned several tax franchises in Utah, Washington, Oregon, and Idaho and was interested in bringing the franchise concept to Australia. John’s father suggested Monte speak with his son.

John was excited. This was his chance to bring about the change he’d always believed in. He preferred the idea of franchising over that of a single business entity, as he believed people would respond better if they had the opportunity of owning their own business. That way, he could encourage staff to buy their own branches, and he could dedicate his time to helping them grow. Backed by this ethos of sharing ownership, business growth and success would come quicker.

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Early Growth

John’s philosophy was simple: Provide good service and good results will come. Serve other people first, and you’ll naturally serve yourself in the process.

The first ITP branch was established in June 1971, and by July 5th, John had prepared and lodged the first tax return from his freshly opened Rockdale office. He trained his wife and best friend to lodge tax returns, and the business quickly took off. Another friend of John’s came in to assist him, and by the end of July 1971 the Rockdale, Granville, and North Ryde branches were up and running. ITP had grown into a franchise, achieving this milestone just 10 months before the first McDonald’s franchise opened in Yagoona, Sydney.

These first branches were dedicated to helping mums and dads maximise their tax returns ‘for as little as $5’. Australians readily welcomed this new and refreshing concept.

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The 1970s

John Bailey devised a specialised system for the average wage earner, offering the finest tax return service at a low price, all backed by year-round after-sale service. Everyday Australians, small businesses, partnerships, and companies could all have their tax returns taken care of by a professional.

John developed an ‘assembly line’ of ideas, procedures, forms, specialised equipment and training into a franchise format. ITP allowed people to start at the ground floor and work their way up, eventually operating their own business in protected territories, with their choice of small, medium, and large scales. Busy areas were permitted sub franchising opportunities.

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The bright yellow and black colours of the ITP logo were considered striking by customers back in 1971 when the first ITP branch opened. This instant recognisability was no accident. John had an advertising agency undertake a survey to test different colour combinations. White on blue, black on white, and black on yellow were all tested. The results were clear: black on yellow was the most memorable combination.

The map of Australia was a crucial element in the early versions of the logo, indicating that the business was Australia-wide and not affiliated with the USA. Tasmania was inadvertently left off in the early designs. However, this oversight was corrected as the concept developed.

ITP Income Tax Professionals commenced on 1 April 1971, and ITP Pty Limited formed on 24 June 1971 – just in time for the 1971 tax season. The offices in Rockdale, North Ryde, and Granville had a busy first season. From there, John expanded rapidly, helping friends who were interested in having their own businesses set up ITP stores. By 1973, ITP The Income Tax Professionals had established several franchises around Australia, quickly growing to over 200 offices by the close of the decade, with some 40 individual franchisees.

While it sounds easy on paper, this expansion wasn’t without its challenges. Governmental bureaucracy threatened ITPs business model in the 1970s, forcing some closures. Meanwhile, Labor Treasurer Bill Hayden introduced a $1,590 deduction for Australian individuals to negate claims previously allowed for medical expenses, rates and taxes, school and education expenses. These were key drawcards for using ITP’s tax return services, so this certainly had an impact. However, despite these challenges, the business continued to grow exponentially.

The 1980s

The 1980s brought a broadening of the income tax system, with drastic changes to the tax treatment of fringe benefits (1986), the introduction of capital gains tax (1985 on assets acquired after 19 September 1985), the removal of accelerated depreciation (1999), and the taxation of retirement savings and income (1988). There was an attempt to introduce the goods and services tax in 1985 (and again in 1993). However, this wasn’t successful until 2000.

This was also the first decade during which accountants didn’t have to deal with Estate or Death Duties. The Queensland Government abolished such taxes in 1977, and other states were forced to follow suit. Indeed, it was mandated by the Federal Government in 1979 as money and assets were fleeing to Queensland through wise estate planning.

ITP The Income Tax Professionals saw unprecedented growth as Australian individuals and small business grabbed onto the idea of an affordable way to maximise their tax returns. John opened 258 branches across Australia, with 45 franchisees buying their own small businesses, then investing in additional branches and sub-letting management.

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John was approached to sell ITP to investors, but he kept ownership, not wanting the core business model to change. If the business was sold, the client base would be dissolved and assimilated by the new owner. His clients would not receive the same service, and the franchisees would not be protected. So he never even considered this an option.

John employed John Mikes to help manage the business. Starting as a consultant in the St Leonards branch, Mikes soon became General Manager of ITP.

Another big milestone of the 1980s came with the advertising campaign ‘ITP 5-day turbo refund’. This campaign used a high-tech snail to broadcast the message that ITP could deliver tax refunds in just five days. At the time, this was an extreme concept as tax refunds from the ATO took 15 days or longer. Australians flocked to ITP to get their fast cash.

Since the 1980s, more attention has been placed on reforming the tax system to improve equity and efficiency. In recent years, the push has been to reduce tax system complexity. Thanks to this project, Australia’s average effective tax rate is now in the lowest 8 out of the 30 OECD countries.

The lowering of Corporate Tax rates from a high of 49% in 1986 to now only 30% has proved a boon. This is perhaps why it’s set to be lowered again.

The 1990s

As they say, there’s nothing sure in life except death and taxes. The 1990s certainly proved this to be true. Australia saw an economic downturn in the early 90s, with employment and wage reductions. Despite this, ITPs business remained constant, with the addition of 20 new branches in WA and NT. Around 60,000 tax returns were lodged, achieving $2b in tax refunds for Australians.

Memorable ad campaigns continued through the 90s, most notably the jailbird wishing he’d asked ITP to lodge his tax return after being locked up for providing misleading information. This comical angle gave ITP a more palatable way to get across the serious consequences of tax evasion, and the campaign was incredibly successful. The ads ran on television, radio, and in print, encouraging Australians to flock to their local ITP branch.

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IT investment was another hallmark of the 90s. ITP implemented a new software package, allowing cross-pollination of client information throughout the branches. In true 90s style, this was run from a single floppy disk.

John’s son, Scott Bailey, also joined the ITP team this decade, starting out at the Burwood office before moving to head office and learning the corporate side of the business. Just 2 years later, Scott was managing 7 branches, and though he didn’t know it at the time, he would go on to manage the entire business with the help of his sisters, Nadene and Shaunee.

With his in-depth knowledge of tax laws and regulations, he also went on to write the ITP Income Tax Course. Scott is now senior director of ITP Accounting Professionals and works hand in hand with the Australian Taxation Office to ensure the accurate relay of information and identify ways ITP can help clients reduce their tax obligations and increase profits.

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The 2000s

After the relative sluggishness of the 1990s, Australia’s economy enjoyed strong growth during the 2000s. In 2000, a new tax system was introduced, including a 10% goods and services tax (GST) on the sale of most goods and services. Changes in individual tax rates and the introduction of business activity statements (BAS) kept ITP tax consultants and small business owners on their toes.

Inspired by these complicated changes, ITP expanded its services, offering bookkeeping and specialised accounting for small businesses. The aim was to take the sting out of these changes and help calm the general confusion in the marketplace. In 2002, ITP expanded to Darwin, Geraldton, and Alice Springs, serving over 5,000 clients in these regions.

ITP also launched a program in the 2000s to improve the number of deductions claimed. The company’s revenue hit $37m, and its accountants lodged over 300,000 tax returns, achieving $3b in refunds for clients. Branches across the country employed over 500 consultants.

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ITP-Circa-2000

The 2010s

By 2010, ITP The Income Tax Professionals had introduced new software that assimilated all branches into a streamlined package that directly connected with the ATO. Regional expansion continued, with 3 new branches opening in Mildura, Bendigo, and Castlemaine, allowing ITP to serve many more clients in rural Victoria.

ITP's commitment to excellence earned consistent recognition, including the prestigious Readers Digest Quality Service Gold Award for Accounting and Tax. Other awards and acknowledgements – such as ITP’s ongoing recognition as Canstar’s Most Trusted Tax Agents – demonstrate ITP’s dedication to superior service. Of course, this high level of service is made possible by strong partnerships with other companies and the Tax Practitioners Board.

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Today

Few could have predicted how far ITP would come from its humble beginnings in Rockdale, NSW. While John built the foundation, the business has evolved into a true family legacy, now guided by the capable hands of his children and son-in-law.

ITP Accounting Professionals now has over 230 branches across Australia, offering a wealth of financial services, from tax returns for individuals to financial advice, home and car loans, bookkeeping, and small business accountancy. As we've grown, we've never lost sight of John's original mission: making expert financial services accessible to everyday Australians. This commitment to quality and affordability remains at the heart of everything we do.

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Thank You

As we reflect on our journey, we're filled with gratitude for the incredible community that makes ITP what it is today. Our success story has been written not just by us, but by our loyal clients, dedicated franchisees, trusted suppliers, and valued partners. After five decades of serving everyday Australians, we're excited to imagine what the next 50 years will bring. Although the faces may be different, our commitment to building lasting relationships remains strong. Thank you for your trust, your support, and for being part of our story.

John Bailey

HUMBLE BEGINNINGS

As a young ATO employee, John Bailey observed a clear divide in Australia's tax landscape. While corporate executives received personal tax assistance from their company auditors, ordinary citizens had no access to professional support. The major accounting firms focused solely on corporate audits, leaving most Australians to navigate the complex tax system unaided. This realisation sparked John’s first thoughts about offering the average person help with their taxes.

NEW YORK

It wasn’t until he served as a Mormon Missionary in New York between 1963 – 1965 that he was able to see how this dream might take form. During this time, he worked as a guide for the Mormon Pavilion at the New York World’s Fair in Flushing, Queens. He was fortunate enough to notice a US tax agency franchise offering tax return for as little as $5, and he knew that was the idea he’d bring back to Australia.

From that moment, John set about making a change.

He had already studied at the Department of Technical Education, one of only two universities in Australia offering units in accounting in the 1960s. He’d also worked at the Australian Taxation Office as an assessor. So he had the foundation needed to make a real change in Australia.

BACK HOME IN AUSTRALIA

Upon returning to Sydney in 1965, John stepped back into his role as an assessor at the ATO, eventually becoming a sales tax investigator. He also continued his studies, completing his accounting certificate with Sydney Technical College and becoming a registered tax agent. This cemented his resolve to help everyday people – particularly working mums and dads – prepare their tax returns. He felt this niche was being unfairly overlooked and knew he wanted to serve them.

However, big things were happening in his personal life too. In 1968, he graduated and, in that same year, married his wife, Leslie. Throughout this busy time, the experiences he’d had in The Bronx, Manhattan, Long Island, and Queens continued to brew in his mind. His already compassionate nature, the work he was doing with the ATO, and his familiarity with companies in the US continued to brew in the background, further developing his ideas of creating a better, more affordable tax service.

In discussing his idea with contacts at the ATO, he found support from Fred Harrison, who believed in John’s vision. However, Fred also pointed out that John was in a tough spot. If he wanted to help people by offering low-cost tax returns, he couldn’t continue working for the ATO.

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A LIFE CHANGING MOMENT

The big change came in March 1971, when a man from Utah named Monte Nelson called John’s father, John Bailey 2nd, to discuss the taxation situation in Australia. Monte owned several franchises in Utah, Washington, Oregon, and Idaho and was interested in bringing the franchise concept to Australia. John’s father suggested Monte speak with his son.

John was thrilled. This was his chance to bring about the change he’d dreamed of for so long. He believed people would flourish if given the opportunity to have ownership over their own stores. However, he ran into trouble when approval wasn’t granted to bring the franchise to Australia. Of course, this didn’t stop a determined John Bailey. If he couldn’t bring a US franchise to Australia, then he’d start his own tax franchise from scratch.

Soon, John was deep in the development of operating procedures, handling everything from the logo design and business name to signage and staffing choices. His overarching philosophy was simple: provide good service, and good results will follow. Serve other people, and you serve yourself. In this spirit, he registered ‘The Income Tax People’ as his company’s name.

DETERMINED ACTION

In 1971 at the tender age of 27, John opened his first offices in Rockdale, North Ryde, and Granville. These branches were dedicated to helping ordinary Australians get the best tax refund possible – all for as little as $5. Locals welcomed this refreshing concept.

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Though the first months ran smoothly, the first year wasn’t without difficulties. No organisation had been established to prepare individual tax returns, except through a company entity. So, John became the target of government authorities and accounting bodied as he began advertising ITP’s services on TV and radio. Like many groundbreaking concepts, it was unheard of in those days, so the authorities initially considered it ‘unprofessional’.

ITP had grown big enough to be on the radar of H&R Block, but it also attracted media scrutiny and condemnation. At the time, it was considered unorthodox to advertise accountancy services to the general public. Journalists condemned John and wrote negative articles accusing him of offering an illegal service – and a franchise at that.

The media censure of franchising was difficult to endure, but John’s team persisted. Indeed, they established a precedent that continues to contribute to Australia’s economic growth today, with more than 78% of all Australian small businesses being franchises.

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DEVELOPMENT OF THE BUSINESS MODEL

With the help of an advertising agency, the name The Income Tax Professionals was created. The ITP logo was further developed, and John began an advertising campaign for his business. He put ads in newspapers and on television and radio, while also placing signage on trains to get the word out about his business.

After returning from his Mormon Mission to New Zealand in 1973, John’s brother, Stephen studied accountancy and became a registered tax agent in his own right. By 1974, he’d branched out into the Sydney suburbs of Parramatta, Liverpool, and Penrith. So by 1978, ITP had 8 branches in total.

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THE NEXT DECADE OF GROWTH

The mid 1980s saw a spike in interest from franchisees across Australia, with over 232 branches opening. John was approached by four organisations determined to purchase ITP, but he held firm. He knew the franchise system would be dissolved so the purchaser could simply absorb the client base, and that ran counter to the vision he had for the business. ITP was built to help people – whether they bought a franchise or came for income tax assistance – and John would stand by his commitment. He refused every offer to sell out – a commitment that remains with his children who now operate the business.

Now a nation-wide business, ITP required managerial assistance. So, John employed John Mikes straight out of university, where he’d obtained a degree in economics. Mikes started as a consultant in the Rockdale branch and eventually became the General Manager of ITP. He retired to the Gold coast after 27 years of service in 2010.

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FAMILY BUSINESS

In 2011, four of John’s six children – Shaunee, Scott, Nadene, and Trent – officially took over ITP’s operations, while Cameron and Monique chose separate careers.

Together with over 40 franchisees, John and his family have built a service industry of over 230 branches. As of October 31, 2019, they have collectively lodged 8,077,956 tax returns. ITP continues to fulfill its founding mission: providing affordable tax expertise to all. From individual returns to complex corporate structures, we offer the same professional service as traditional accounting firms – but at rates that make sense for everyday Australians.

The ITP franchise formula remains simple: ‘Help as many Australians as possible lower their tax at the best possible rate’, and it is still successful after 50 years in business.

John’s compassionate desire forged an industry – one that’s set to grow for many years to come.

 

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Scott Bailey

THE EARLY DAYS

My Dad always was and always will be a petrol head. Whether behind the wheel of a V8, a Porsche, or a Tarago, he could never resist the need for speed. If there was an opening in the traffic, he’d take it. If he was behind a slow driver, he’d pass them. If there were gaps in the Pacific Highway, he’d fill them.

His inability to go slow didn’t go away just because he had kids. Even when we were piled in the car and driving to our annual holiday spot, we would fly past multiple cars at maximum revs on a regular basis. When he did that, total silence ruled the car. Only after he’d pulled safely into the left-hand lane would our chatter start up again. Nothing held him back – except one thing.

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Being a diabetic, my sister would need to find a bathroom more than the average person. Dad hated finding roadside toilets as much as he hated being stuck in slow traffic. So he’d pull over to the side of the road whenever my sister needed to stop, and he’d watch patiently as all the cars he’d overtaken zipped by.

Another thing he couldn’t resist was mixing work with holidays. We’d wait for him in the car as he visited every ITP branch between home and our holiday spot. Although Dad loved holidays with us, and our time was special, it was impossible to have family time without something about work coming up, especially since it involved all of us.

CAREER DECISIONS

At age 23, a blood clot was discovered in the main artery of my leg. Consequently a bypass operation was completed with the risk of amputation. This made it difficult for me to do a manual job – such as landscaping and restoring mustangs. My career options were instantly whittled down to anything involving a desk. Thankfully, ITP was waiting with a new career path. I started at the head office, learning the corporate side of the business while I completed my accounting diploma. In 2 years, I became the area manager, running 7 branches.

I was thrust into the thick of it when our tax instructor resigned a week before the launch of our tax course. I had to learn a 10-week syllabus so I could teach it to our enrolled students. That was one hectic term!

Working as a tax consultant brings me many rewarding moments. Each client has their own way of looking at things and unique stories that make each day fascinating. Our annual appointments end up feeling less like tax obligations and more like a catch-up with old friends. By keeping the human aspect of our tax service alive, and giving free guidance throughout the year, I like to think we create genuine connections with our clients.

I have to say, I’ve seen some interesting characters and very creative tax deductions over my time as a consultant. Standouts include a male primary school teacher with a secret second job as a cruise-ship stripper who wanted to claim handmade G-strings, and an Irishman who would tell everyone in the office about his comrades in the IRA – consultants and customers alike! These real-life stories unfold every day in ITP offices all over Australia, just as they did 50 years ago.

EARLY ADVERTISING

I loved our old advertising and enjoyed our commercials. My favourite will always be the guy in a prison cell talking about who he should’ve asked to do his taxes. Although, I also loved our turbo snail concept – the little guy who morphed from a normal snail into a mini terminator to highlight how slow the ATO was at processing tax returns, while we were much faster. At the time, we made this happen by loaning the refund to our customer before they received it from the ATO. We won an award for that commercial.

My first job out of school was landscaping. Around that time, I was also sent to Kalgoorlie, Bunbury, Albany, Rockingham, and Victoria Park, WA for my mission work for the church. It was discovered that I was a diabetic around this time, but during my mission, I managed to get it under control. When I came home, I did not want to go into accounting. Like Dad, I had a passion for cars, so I devoted my time to restoring old mustangs. Unfortunately, my diabetes had other thoughts.

INSTILLING DAD’S VALUES

When Dad started ITP, it was all about helping the average man in the street. He taught me that good family and strong relationships are the ultimate goal in life. He taught us to put others first and to share what we’ve been blessed with. These core foundations of ITP haven’t changed in 50 years. I’ve taken on that mantle and have always been service-oriented, whether working with customers or franchisees. Much of this work I would happily do for free because it builds our reputation as a people-oriented service. Those values came straight from Dad.

Dad would always lend a hand. Whether it was helping clear a neighbour’s property, slipping a single-parent family some financial help, paying for someone’s car to be repaired, or simply giving them free financial advice. As a 12-year-old in the late 70s, I remember Dad pulling up to a house, slipping a $50 note into an envelope, and putting it in a letterbox. I asked what he was doing, and Dad just said that family was struggling. He would do a lot of things anonymously like that.

Now with a family of my own, I’m very conscious of the time I have with my wife and children. Like Dad, it’s hard for me to separate work and home life, but we try. When we go out, we do it together – even my 27-year-old tags along! I like to think my kids can ask me anything. There is no hold on answers and advice. This supportive family life is the ultimate legacy Dad passed on to me.

Fifty years is a long time for a business, but ITP has remained strong throughout those years. Tax is a great leveller. It involves everyone, from every walk of life, and I’ve been privileged to meet them all. It’s an honour to serve people and an especially profound one to help our customers in the same way Dad intended when he started out. I’m certainly looking forward to what the next 50 years might bring.

Shaunee Bailey

THE EARLY DAYS

I have some wonderful memories of ITP in the early years. During the school holidays, Dad would take me into the office with him for the day. It was a big deal for an eight year old! Us kids never saw dad a lot during that time as he was working a lot of hours setting up the business. He didn’t often come home until after we’d gone to bed, working the long hours he did.

He often spent Saturday’s with my brothers taking them to and from their sporting events, while Sundays were spent on church commitments. Time with him was a premium so it was a big deal for me to go down to Paramatta with him. I enjoyed sitting in the office and watching him do his work. I would sit at an old word processor and pretend I was working and helping out the business.

Dad would always ensure quality activities with us kids. Having an office in the Westfield at Paramatta, Dad came to know the owner of Village cinemas who would give us tickets to premier movies. I would walk the red carpet hand in hand with Dad, and afterwards we would go to the Pancake House for dinner.

FIRST JOB

My first job at ITP was as a receptionist, but by my second year, I was working as a tax consultant. Dad put me in the Roselle branch all by myself when the tax consultant from that branch moved on. In 2002, Trent joined me at Roselle, and we went from serving 1,000 clients to 2,500 per year. My brother and I quickly worked out I was more cluey with the technical side of the business while he was a hit with customers.

Still, my clients always stand out in my mind. When you help people with their taxes every year, you can’t help but develop a connection with them. Some people I didn’t charge because I just wanted to help them, but people always find a way to pay you back. One of my clients would give me Belle Fleur chocolates. These are fine, hand-crafted chocolates made in Sydney – my all-time favourites. Another customer found out and gifted me chocolates when I didn’t charge her. I’ll never say no to chocolate, but for me, it was more about spending time with people, helping them out, giving them advice, and making the whole process as simple and painless as possible.

EXPANDING THE ROLE

Trent and I would often go to people’s homes to do their tax returns if they were unable to come to our office. One such couple, a lovely elderly brother and sister, lived in a beautiful sandstone house that was built in the 1920s and that overlooked the bay. I will always remember their house because the view was sensational. The sister has passed on now, but I still do the brother’s tax return. To me, he’s more like an old friend than a customer.

Over my time with ITP, I have been asked to claim some doozies by clients. A gentleman came into our office years ago, back when we could claim medical expenses that have since been abolished. He was claiming surgery and lots of physio expenses that were out of the ordinary. Out of professional curiosity, I asked him what sort of accident could result in claims of that variety. Red faced, he told me he slipped in a puddle, landed on the corner of his home pool and suffered a sensitive injury to a very personal region of his body. Not knowing quite how to answer, I asked how they provided physio for that type of thing. Luckily, he saw the funny side and we both had a bit of a laugh.

Trent had a big heart when it came to our clients, and this resulted in quite a few memorable interactions. Our office was at the top of a rather steep set of stairs. A client well into her 70s would call out from the bottom landing, and Trent would piggy-back her up because it was too hard for her to climb them. He would also help clients up with all sorts of items. From paperwork to prams, Trent got quite a work-out on those stairs. In the end, our clients didn’t remember the fee or the outcome – the interactions were what stayed with them, and the fact that we were only happy if they were happy.

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INTERVIEW TIME

Once every so often, Dad would sit us all down for a one-on-one ‘interview’. I loved it because it made me feel important and I got to spend quality time with him. He would ask us how we were going at school. Who our friends were. What our career aspirations were. Nothing was left unturned. He would write everything down in a file. We all had our files and I was proud to see it grow as the years passed. If any one of us want to know what was important to us as children, it’s all there written down in Dad’s filing cabinet.

In year 11 when I was studying business for a school project, I wrote a report on ITP. Dad helped me with the details and I was able to learn more about the finer points of franchising that I’d previously had no idea about. Dad told me about new offices opening, the new franchises that were being set up and what the new owners were like. We would go over all of the photos he took, and he would point one thing or another out to me. It was the time I spent with him then that I valued above all else. It was just he and I – and learning about the business.

I finished high school and went to study at university. It was while I was studying, that our receptionist at the Burwood office went on maternity leave in September 2000. I offered to help working her position. When she came back to work, and I stayed on. I’ve been working in the business ever since.

FAVOURITE PARTS

By 2011, I moved to head office because John Mikes and his wife, who was the receptionist at that office, retired. Before they left, they trained me to take over the franchising side of the business. I had always enjoyed working with clients, and I got the same enjoyment from working with our business owners.

My favourite part of running the franchisor part of the business is organising our annual conference. I quickly whipped our two-day conferences into weekly affairs, allowing our business owners to bring their families, get to know each other, and ‘talk shop’. Our strength lies in our network and our relationships. For these conferences, we’ve been everywhere from Rockhampton in Central Queensland to Halong Bay in Vietnam (where our franchisees got to jump off a boat into the water). I’m currently organising next year’s conference in the Hunter Valley, complete with a beautiful wine and cheese evening.

From an early age, Dad instilled in me the importance of helping others. He told us we are merely caretakers of our success, and that it is something to pass on to other people. As a child, I wouldn’t even question when he helped people physically or financially. He always made sacrifices for others, and that was just our ‘normal’. I think that’s why Dad liked the idea of franchising ITP’s winning formula. It’s his way of passing his success to other business owners and to the average person in the street in the form of quality, affordable tax returns.

Though he had a strong community spirit, he would always protect us kids. In the 80s, ITP suffered alongside other Australian businesses during the economic downturn. When things got bad, Dad had to sell Mum’s jewellery to pay the bills and keep our business afloat. But he didn’t bring any of the financial stress home. He continued to be optimistic and continued helping people the way he always had. In fact, I would always see Dad at his happiest when he was helping other people. It makes me appreciate how much parents sacrifice for their children.

MY DAD

I will always look up to Dad. He is my inspiration for many things in life. The success he achieved at such a young age is remarkable. Ignoring industry snobbery over his early business model, Dad persevered despite criticism of his franchising model. His accomplishments with family and church continue to guide me. When Dad expresses pride in me, I know there's something truly worth being proud about.

Now that I'm taking on more of Dad's responsibilities, hearing him express his pride at our recent conference felt especially meaningful. It’s a big deal to be entrusted with the business. After all, ITP is his baby. He started it from the germ of an idea born from the desire to help people. For him to give us his faith and trust to keep the business running is very important to me, and I will always strive to make him proud.

Nadene Aguilar

THE EARLY DAYS

When I was younger, I promised myself that I was never, ever going to work for ITP. I thought that doing company work and tax returns was the most boring thing imaginable. My interests were in the beauty industry. So I obtained my beauty degree and opened my own salon, and I loved it. What I didn’t foresee were my health problems. I suffered chronic fatigue and couldn’t manage the physical requirements of running a salon.

Fortunately, John Mikes and his wife Katherine were retiring and needed someone to take over the administration of head office. It was perfect timing, and the best decision I’ve ever made. I’ve known John and Katherine since I was a kid going in to see Dad at work. Katherine would let me be the secretary for the day. I would help file, make lunch appointments, and help with storage – all exciting jobs for an 8-year-old! At the end of the day, I was paid $10, and I would be ecstatic.

As a child, I always held a sense of wonder about Dad’s work. On Friday’s, my family would meet Dad after hours. He would close the door, signifying the end of the day, and Katherine would have sweets for us. That time was always Daddy time for us, and we would be treated to his undivided attention.

ITP-1970s

PERSONAL PARENT INTERVIEWS

We also had his undivided attention during our ‘interviews’. He called them our ‘Personal Parent Interview’, and like my siblings, I loved them. Having an analytical mind, this question time was his way of being present, especially since he worked such long hours. He was also practical. If he saw a problem, he would go out of his way to help us fix it. One day, I’ll get mine out and read it. I’m sure it’ll bring back some good memories for me.

I have to say, Dad also has no shame. As a treat, he would organise for us to attend movie premiers – only he often failed to let us know in advance. On one such occasion, he rushed home from work to find us ready for bed in our pyjamas. That didn’t worry Dad! He packed us all up and walked us down the red carpet, pyjamas and all. Meanwhile, everyone else was dressed up. We also got there late and had to be escorted in by attendants with torches, disturbing everyone as politely as we could to get to our seats in the middle of the row. Dad didn’t stress about any of it. He just got on with it and enjoyed the movie, much like how he handled every other aspect of his life.

nadene-aguilar

FIRST OFFICIAL EMPLOYMENT

Though I imagined my ITP career would end at age 8, it certainly wasn’t the last time I would work for the company. At 16, I worked in the Burwood office, where Scott had just started. It was the middle of school holidays, and the office needed someone to fill in while our receptionist Noelle took some time off. I got to answer phone calls, book appointments, and file customer’s tax returns – genuinely so much fun. I had a wonderful time and thought I’d nailed the job. I should have known better!

A customer came into the office quite riled up, demanded to know where his tax refund was. I had no idea, of course. The man calmed down easily despite his agitated state, and I had no idea why until I turned around and saw the office manager standing behind me with his hands on his hips and thunder on his face. He told me that he would not have his staff being treated like that. It was my first taste of an angry customer and, fortunately, a rare event.

CAREER DEVELOPMENT

When I started working in the administration side of the business at the Parramatta office in 2010, I had a little more experience than I did when I was 16. I had evolved, and so had ITP. The backbone of the business was run on a DOS system that John Mikes had designed and developed. At the time, the software package had started to glitch and needed updating.

The day Scott, Shaunee, and I took over head office operations, the DOS system broke down. Nothing we did could get it up and running again. We’d certainly jumped in at the deep end! Luckily, we found another program quickly, and now it’s a process of revamping and updating our system regularly. Technology never stops evolving, and neither have we. Fortunately, that’s my idea of fun.

My first ITP conference was in Hawaii in December of 2010. It was a nice introduction to the business, and most of our franchisees were able to come. It was my job to take the minutes of the meeting. I didn’t know many of the owners at that stage, and I certainly didn’t know all their names. While I took the minutes, I quickly made notes of their physical appearance so I could match names to faces later. I wrote a lot that day – though the words soon looked more like scribbles as I fought to keep up!

ITP-conference

Managing ITP’s admin, I’ve met a lot of different personalities over the years. From customers to franchisees, I try to be equally compassionate with everyone. Over time, this approach and the work I do has given me a reputation of being the heart of the business – something I’ve accepted with pride.

Not many can say that they’ve been married by their father. I had this honour when I married my husband, Mario, at our Carlingford Temple. It was a beautiful day, made even more special because I was able to enjoy that rare treat of being Dad’s sole focus. There were tears, but also a tremendous amount of joy that has continued throughout my life.

It is so fulfilling getting to work with my family every day at a business Dad started with love 50 years ago. I am honoured to contribute to my family’s business and be part of something successful. There aren’t many people who can say that they work with their siblings and love it. Luckily, between the three of us, we just mesh. I think ITP also ‘just meshes’ with our franchisees, our employees, and our customers. It all goes back to Dad’s legacy when he started the business with a simple desire in his heart: to help people.

FROM GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY TO GOLDEN OPPORTUNITIES

As our family-run business celebrates its golden anniversary, it’s been a nourishing exercise to reflect on the long journey that kicked off with one man’s visionary idea: making professional tax services accessible to all Australians. Over the past five decades, ITP has grown from a single office in Rockdale to a nationwide network of more than 230 branches, each one representing its own small business while honouring our founding principles of affordability, excellence, and compassion.

Over the past 50 years, we’ve weathered economic storms, adopted new technology, and stayed on top of Australia’s ever-changing tax regulations. Through it all, we’ve stayed on-course thanks to the power of our father’s original mission to help everyday people. This dedication to serving our community, coupled with our willingness to adapt, has established ITP as a trusted partner to countless people across the country. From working parents and pensioners to sole traders and companies, we’re here to help Australians get ahead financially.

Now standing at this significant milestone, our commitment to innovation remains steadfast, as does our pledge to maintain the human touch that has been our hallmark since 1971. As we step into this new era, we bring with us the lessons of our past and a deep sense of excitement about the possibilities of our future. The next 50 years promise new challenges and opportunities, but with our shared spirit of innovation, compassion, and service, ITP is ready to turn these golden opportunities into reality. We look forward to continuing our journey with you, helping to secure the financial futures of Australians for generations to come.

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