When registration information in your client's tax return is incorrect, we need to manually match information on the return with details on our systems before we can process it.
Taking care to check returns for simple errors before submitting helps minimise processing delays and ensure refunds are issued as quickly as possible.
The Tax Agent Portal pre-filling service helps ensure the accuracy of returns by allowing you to cross-check information on the return with what is held by us. If information we hold is outdated or incorrect, it should be updated before lodgment. Failure to do this may result in data mismatches and processing delays.
Pre-filling reports from the Tax Agent Portal will display the following information from our records:
- name
- gender
- Australian residency (at the report's creation date)
- postal and residential address
- phone number
- date of birth.
What you need to do
It is important to take care to make sure all information is accurate before lodging a return.
Below are some of the most common errors that may cause processing delays.
Check person information is correct
Make sure person details are correct or update where required, in particular the following.
Surname
Names must be exactly as they are on our systems, or the change of name fields on the return updated correctly to ensure there are no processing errors.
Common errors may include:
- punctuation
- spelling
- surname and first name reversals
- combining middle names or initials with surnames.
If your client's name is incorrect or has changed, you can correct this by updating their name on the return. Make sure you correct any previous surname fields if there has been a change to the surname.
Address
Updating a client's address on their tax return only changes the postal and residential address for their income tax and fringe benefits tax roles. It does not update our information for other tax obligations such as:
- activity statements
- pay as you go (PAYG) instalments
- super.
You need to notify us separately for these and other changes.
Date of birth
We need the client's full and correct date of birth, not just the year of birth.
We recommend you confirm the date of birth with your client, as well as checking the pre-filling report against your records and the previous year's return prior to lodging.
If a date of birth on our systems is incorrect, only the client can update it. For more information, refer to Updating your details.
The full date of birth is required for matching taxpayers where tax file numbers are incorrect, and in the processing of some errors.
Remove unnecessary information
If you transfer details from a previous year's return, only include relevant information. Delete any details that are no longer applicable in the 'Additional information schedule'.
Lodge only one original return
If your client's return has already been lodged but needs an amendment, do not lodge another original return. You will need to lodge an amendment to make further changes.
When preparing a return for a new client, make sure they have not already lodged one for that year.
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You can check the lodgment status of a return in the Tax Agent Portal.
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Do not lodge when you are notified of an error on the ELS
If you receive an error when attempting to lodge electronically, do not print the return and lodge it by paper as this will cause further delays. We recommend you take steps to enter all required information and fix errors before lodging electronically.
Provide a breakdown of lump sum in arrears
When a lump sum payment in arrears is declared at the 'Other income - category 1' question, ensure there is a breakdown of the components in the 'Additional information schedule'. We need details of each component so that an offset entitlement can be calculated.
Last Modified: Friday, 29 June 2012