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Electronic funds transfer (EFT)

Last updated 11 February 2019

Direct refund

We can deposit a tax refund directly into a bank, credit union or building society account using EFT.

Take care when completing EFT details as payment of any refund is made to the account specified.

If direct refund is not required

If the trustee does not want to use EFT, or wishes to cancel the existing EFT authority, print X in the No box at Do you want your refund paid directly into your financial institution account?

To use direct refund

Print X in the Yes box at Do you want your refund paid directly into your financial institution account?

Complete the following:

  • Print the bank state branch (BSB) number in the BSB number box. This six-digit number identifies the financial institution. Do not include spaces, dashes or hyphens in the number.
  • Print the account number in the Account number box. You cannot use an account number with more than nine characters. Do not include spaces in the account number.
  • Print the account name, as shown on the account records, in the Account name box. Do not print the account type, for example savings, cheque or mortgage offset. Include spaces between each word and between initials in the account name. Joint accounts are acceptable. The account name must not exceed 32 characters.

Direct debit

The trustee can pay tax owing directly from their account using EFT. A trustee can provide separate account details for direct debit and direct refund.

To use direct debit

Trustees can arrange direct debit by using a tax agent who can lodge tax returns through ELS, or by completing a direct debit request form. Allow at least five working days for processing of the direct debit request form. Tax agents can transmit payment details up to three working days before the due date once the direct debit request has been processed. Phone 1800 802 308 for more information.

If the trustee used direct debit last year and the account details provided are correct, you do not need to make another request. The notice of assessment will display a message that the tax debt will be debited from the nominated account on the due date.

If the account details have changed, complete a direct debit request if you want to use direct debit this year.

A direct debit request remains in force until it is cancelled. Cancellations must be received three business days before the payment date.

Attention

There is no provision for a direct debit election on the tax return. The direct debit request is also available as part of ELS software packages.

End of attention

QC22968