| eLink - an email bulletin for tax professionals |
| Information about eLink and how to subscribe. |
| New File transfer function in the Tax Agent Portal |
| Broadcast sent on 4 April 2013 informing tax agents that our new File transfer function is now available on the portals. |
| The TAXAGENT magazine - issue 58 - March 2013 |
| The March 2013 edition of the TAXAGENT includes articles about Better ways to do business, Improving our website design and technical platform, New commitments to service, Protecting the community from promoters of tax avoidance schemes and more. |
| eLink 12/13 |
| Bulletin to inform tax professionals of the most recent updates to ato.gov.au including lead articles titled 'March webcast now available', 'Emailing tax agents who lodge by paper' and 'Super contribution tips'. Issued 27 March 2013. |
| The TAXAGENT magazine - issue 57 - December 2012 |
| The December 2012 edition of the TAXAGENT includes articles about Your lodgment program performance, Make a difference - report suspected tax evasion, Our Dispute management plan and more. |
| The TAXAGENT magazine - issue 58 online now |
| Broadcast sent on 26 March 2013 informing tax agents that the latest issue of the TAXAGENT magazine is available to view online. |
| eLink 11/13 |
| Bulletin to inform tax professionals of the most recent updates to ato.gov.au including lead articles titled 'Refunds direct to bank accounts', 'PAYG payment summary - employment termination payment and codes' and 'Changes affecting your employer clients from 1 July 2013'. Issued 20 March 2013. |
| Tax practitioner webcast |
| Broadcast sent 21 March 2013 advising registered tax agents that the latest webcast is now available to view online. |
| The TAXAGENT magazine - issue 56 - September 2012 |
| The September 2012 edition of the TAXAGENT includes articles about Tax Time 2012 update, Increasing our focus on property developers, One time only refund of excess concessional contributions, Work-related expenses guides for your clients.and more. |
| eLink 10/13 |
| Bulletin to inform tax professionals of the most recent updates to ato.gov.au including a lead article titled 'Record keepng for small business CGT concessions'. Issued 13 March 2013. |
| Portal issues now resolved |
| Broadcast sent on 22 February 2013 advising registered tax agents that Tax Agent Portal issue have now been resolved. |
| The TAXAGENT magazine - issue 55 - June 2012 |
| The June 2012 edition of the TAXAGENT includes articles about new requirements - building and construction industry, new resource rent tax arrangements from 1 July 2012, help stamp out refund fraud, new instructions to replace TaxPack and more. |
| Contact us if you are still experiencing portal issues |
| Broadcast sent on 15 February 2013 advising registered tax agents to email us if you are still having problems with your access to the Tax Agent Portal or specific portal functions after the recent system fixes we have deployed. |
| eLink 09/13 |
| Bulletin to inform tax professionals of the most recent updates to ato.gov.au including lead articles titled 'Vigilance can help stop GST fraud' and 'Listening to regional tax practitioners'. Issued 6 March 2013. |
| eLink 08/13 |
| Bulletin to inform tax professionals of the most recent updates to ato.gov.au including lead articles titled 'Maintain security to stop fraud', 'Do you have more than 10 clients on your list you no longer represent?' and 'Lodgment of auditor contravention reports'. Issued 27 February 2013. |
| Tax agents affected by online fraud |
| Broadcast sent on 5 February 2013 advising registered tax agents and BAS agents that the personal identities of a small number of tax agents has been stolen to create unauthorised AUSkeys. |
| eLink 07/13 |
| Bulletin to inform tax professionals of the most recent updates to ato.gov.au including lead articles titled 'Avoid activity statement revision delays' and 'The easiest ways to make a payment'. Issued 20 February 2013. |
| Issues with access to the Tax Agent Portal |
| Broadcast sent on 29 January 2013 alerting tax agents that some of them may be experiencing issues with their access to the Tax Agent Portal or specific portal functions. |
| Beware of malware embedded in scam emails |
| Broadcast sent 25 January 2013, warning registered tax agents and BAS agents about a new scam email containing malware. |
| eLink 05/13 |
| Bulletin to inform tax professionals of the most recent updates to ato.gov.au including lead articles titled 'Portal access issues - update', 'Processing of some returns affected by incorrect address information' and 'Bulk client list deletion offer - don't miss out'. Issued 7 February 2013. |
| Introducing the new Commissioner |
| Broadcast sent on 24 January 2013 advising registered tax agents and BAS agents of our new Commissioner. |
| Tax help for bushfire-affected areas |
| Broadcast sent on 18 January 2013 advising registered tax agents and BAS agents about support strategies we have in place to assist bushfire-affected clients. |
| Warning new phishing scam: 'Tax Agent Report - Delayed Tax Returns' email contains malware - do not open |
| Broadcast sent 19 December 2012, alerting registered tax agents and BAS agents of a phishing scam using our email addresses and not to open these emails. |
| The TAXAGENT magazine - issue 57 online now |
| Broadcast sent on 12 December 2012 informing registered tax agents that the latest issue of the TAXAGENT magazine is available to view online. |
| Bulk client list deletion offer closing soon |
| Broadcast sent 6 December 2012 advising registered tax agents they still have time to take advantage of the bulk clients list deletion offer, which closes on 15 December 2012. |
| ABR and AUSkey websites unavailable |
| Broadcast sent 7 December 2012, alerting tax agents that the Australian Business Register (ABR) and AUSkey websites will be unavailable for a time to allow for server maintenance |
| Commissioner of Taxation appointment announced |
| Broadcast sent 12 November 2012, announcing the appointment of Mr Chris Jordan AO, as the Commissioner of Taxation effective 1 January 2013. |
| Electronic lodgment service (ELS), Windows 8 and virtual private network (VPN) connectivity |
| Broadcast sent 12 November 2012 informing registered tax agents of ELS, Windows 8 and VPN connectivity. |
| Tax agent due dates - 31 October |
| Broadcast sent 1 November 2012 informing registered tax agents of an extension to 31 October 2012 due date to lodge. |
| Slow portal response times |
| Broadcast sent on 30 October informing registered tax agents and BAS agents about the slow response times with the portals and what we are doing. |
| Dispute management plan released - our commitment to resolving disputes |
| Broadcast sent 30 October 2012, announcing the release of our Dispute management plan 2012-13. |
| Announcement from the Commissioner of Taxation |
| Broadcast sent 24 October 2012, announcing that the Commissioner will be completing his seven year term at the end of this year and will move on from the ATO. |
| Tax practitioner webcast |
| Broadcast sent 19 October 2012 advising registered tax agents that the latest webcast is available to view online now. |
| The TAXAGENT magazine - issue 56 online now |
| Broadcast sent on 27 September 2012 informing registered tax agents that the latest issue of the TAXAGENT magazine is now available to view online. |
| Issues affecting the portals - Resolved |
| Broadcast sent on 14 September informing registered tax agents and BAS agents that portal services have been restored. |
| Bulk client list deletion - special offer |
| Broadcast sent on 6 September 2012 advising registered tax agents about our bulk client list deletion offer to help in the transition to the new lodgment program framework. |
| Issues affecting the portals |
| Broadcast sent on 12 and 13 September reassuring all registered agents that we are urgently working to restore portal services after the deployment of two systems. |
| Report for delayed individual electronic tax returns over 30 days |
| Broadcast sent on 24 July advising registered tax agents that we have reframed our processing service standard for individual tax returns lodged electronically. |
| Compliance program 2012-13 now available |
| Broadcast sent on 19 July 2012 informing all tax agents that we have released the Compliance program 2012-13 and what it means to them. |
| Recent changes to the law - Our discretion to retain refunds |
| Broadcast sent on 28 June 2012, alerting all registered tax agents and BAS agents that the Taxation Administration Act 1953 (TAA) has been amended to provide us with the discretion to retain refunds while we undertake integrity checks on claims. |
| Payment slip barcode error - activity statement collation packages |
| Broadcast sent 11 July 2012, alerting registered tax agents of an error in the payment slip barcode in activity statement collation packages for the period ending 30 June 2012. |
| The Lodgment Program 2012-13 is now available |
| Broadcast sent 2 July 2012 advising registered tax agents and BAS agents that the Lodgment Program 2012-13 is available. |
| Tax practitioner webcast |
| Broadcast sent 26 June 2012 advising registered tax agents that the latest webcast is now available to view online. |
| Working together during Tax Time 2012 |
| Broadcast sent 25 June 2012 providing information and tips for registered tax agents to assist at tax time and advising how we will operate over the tax time period. |
| The TAXAGENT magazine - issue 55 online now |
| Broadcast sent 22 June 2012 advising registered tax agents that the latest issue of the TAXAGENT magazine is now available to view online. |
| Tax Time 2012 publications online now |
| Broadcast sent on 31 May 2012, advising registered tax agents that they can access 2012 instructions, forms and schedules online. It includes information about product changes and how to order print publications. |
| ABNs under review: updating your clients details on the ABR |
| Information about what we're doing to improve the accuracy of the Australian Business Register and how this affects holders of an Australian business number. Includes information about what you can do if your clients have their ABN cancelled by the Registrar. |
| ATO guidelines when contacting clients of tax practitioners |
| Details the situations where we may contact your clients directly and how we will inform you of that contact. |
| Capital gains tax - disposal of property or shares |
| Information about letters we will be sending in late June asking your clients to review if they have made a capital gain or loss and to include this when lodging their 2011-12 tax return. |
| Changes to the Australian Business Register |
| Information about the Australian Business Register (ABR) 26 November 2012 upgrade. |
| Common errors when utilising tax losses |
| Information about common errors and tips for your clients who have tax losses. |
| Data matching and 'return not necessary' status for 2012 tax returns |
| Information about an email you may receive from us advising we have updated our records with a 'return not necessary' status for some of your clients 2012 tax returns. |
| Default assessments for non-lodgers |
| Information about default assessment warning letters we will send you asking your clients to lodge their overdue income tax returns by the due date. |
| EFT refunds |
| From 1 July 2013, individual tax returns will require bank account details to be entered into the electronic lodgment service (ELS), where a refund is expected. |
| eLink - an email bulletin for tax professionals |
| Information about eLink and how to subscribe. |
| eLink 13/13 |
| Bulletin to inform tax professionals of the most recent updates to ato.gov.au including lead articles titled 'The TAXAGENT magazine - latest issue online now', 'Lodgment deferrals for exceptional circumstances' and 'Improving our online services for individuals'. Issued 3 April 2013. |
| eLink 14/13 |
| Bulletin to inform tax professionals of the most recent updates to ato.gov.au including lead articles titled 'Tax agent webinar program - April and May 2013', 'New ATO website coming' and 'Targeting tax crime - read about how tax evasion is now easier to track'. Issued 10 April 2013. |
| eLink 15/13 |
| Bulletin to inform tax professionals of the most recent updates to ato.gov.au including lead articles titled 'Pilot - referring details of taxpayers with overdue lodgments to collection agencies' and 'Bulk client list deletion offer - only days left'. Issued 17 April 2013. |
| eLink 16/13 |
| Bulletin to inform tax professionals of the most recent updates to ato.gov.au including lead articles titled 'Ensure you have your clients' bank account details' and 'Excess contributions tax - your client's forms in one envelope'. Issued 24 April 2013. |
| eLink 17/13 |
| Bulletin to inform tax professionals of the most recent updates to ato.gov.au including lead articles titled 'Concessions for small businesses' and 'Revising indirect tax amounts on pre 1 July 2012 activity statements'. Issued 1 May 2013. |
| eLink 18/13 |
| Bulletin to inform tax professionals of the most recent updates to ato.gov.au including lead articles titled 'Don't forget to lodge your own personal tax return', 'Mailout for the building and construction industry' and 'Super payment for low-income earners'. Issued 8 May 2013. |
| Excess concessional contributions refund offer |
| Information about a once only offer your clients may receive to have their excess concessional contributions refunded. |
| Getting your employer clients ready for changes to super |
| In April, we are sending information out to employers with super guarantee obligations. |
| HELP and Financial Supplement statements |
| Information about how you can access your client's Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) or Financial Supplement statement of account. |
| Improving our online services for your individual clients |
| Information for tax agents about the changes we are making during 2013 to improve our online services for individuals. |
| Incorrect periods on some statements of accounts |
| Information about certain transaction lists with an invalid period on the statement of account. |
| Information for contractors in the building and construction industry |
| Information about letters we will send to contractors who provide building and construction services to businesses in the building and construction industry. |
| Keep your email address current |
| Update your current email address to receive urgent and important messages, and subscribe to receive tax practitioner communication products. |
| Letters to directors with outstanding obligations |
| Letters will be sent to directors of companies with unpaid pay as you go (PAYG) withholding amounts from late-April. |
| Lodgment alert for overdue documents |
| Information about the lodgment alert letters we will send to tax agents and BAS agents in May 2013 who have clients with overdue documents. |
| Lodgment reminder for senior taxpayers |
| Information about lodgment reminder letters asking your senior clients to consider their requirement to lodge overdue tax returns. |
| Mailout for the building and construction industry |
| Information about letters we will send in May 2013 to businesses in the building and construction industry to provide information about lodging the Taxable payments annual report. |
| Managing refunds after 1 July 2013 |
| Depending on your arrangement with your clients, refunds can be deposited straight into their bank account, or if you operate with a trust account, they can be directed into your trust account on their behalf. |
| New PAYG instalment details and payment options |
| Information about a letter you will receive for some of your pay as you go (PAYG) instalment clients. The letter will list those clients whose details have recently changed, and who may be entitled to account for their instalments annually. |
| PAYG instalments and employee share schemes |
| Information about a letter you may receive explaining your client's new pay as you go (PAYG) instalment rate and notional tax amount. |
| Personal services business |
| Information about letters being sent in September 2012 that may affect your clients who have reported personal services income and may have incorrectly self-assessed as conducting a personal services business. |
| Pilot for the referral of overdue lodgments to collection agencies |
| In April 2013, we will send letters to taxpayers who, despite our previous requests, have failed to lodge overdue lodgment obligations. The letter provides an opportunity to lodge the overdue documents prior to referral to a collection agency. |
| Proof of identity requirements for registered agents |
| Information about what proof of identity (POI) information you need to provide as registered tax agents and BAS agents (registered agents). |
| Reporting of personal services income and business income |
| Information about letters to entities who indicate they receive business income when it may, in full or in part, be personal services income. |
| Section 23AG amendments effective 1 July 2009 |
| Information about letters being sent to taxpayers who may have to review their residency status and lodge tax returns or amendments as a result of the section 23AG amendments effective from 1 July 2009. |
| Tax agents lodging by paper |
| We will be emailing 3,300 registered tax agents who lodge some or all of their clients' returns by paper. |
| The easiest ways to make a payment |
| You or your clients can make payments to us by using BPAY or credit card. |
| Tips when advising clients to contribute to super |
| When talking with your clients about superannuation contributions, there are a number of questions to ask. |
| Tips when requesting lodgment deferrals |
| These tips will help you save time in the event you have exceptional or unforeseen circumstances that impact your ability to lodge by a due date on behalf of your clients. |
| TOFA tax return labels - quick reference guide |
| Outlines the tax return labels your clients must complete if they are TOFA entities. |
| Working together to prevent online fraud |
| Broadcast sent 10 May 2013 advising tax agents and BAS agents of the actions we have taken in working with them to prevent online fraud. |