Role of the Tax Profession Digital Implementation Group
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) outlined the intended role and priorities of the group and discussed how it will complement and support the work of other stewardship forums, including the Tax Practitioner Stewardship Group.
Members supported the proposed direction of the group and called for stronger visibility of issues being considered across consultation forums. They also discussed opportunities to enhance continuity and transparency through standing agenda items and improved reporting mechanisms.
Members also discussed the charter, including membership tenure arrangements.
Client-to-agent linking
The ATO demonstrated the proposed client-to-agent linking (CAL) solution for individuals and sole traders and sought member feedback on the proposed digital pathways.
Members welcomed the opportunity to view the end-to-end process and provided feedback on client communications, notifications, terminology, privacy considerations and reporting functionality. Members highlighted the importance of balancing security controls with a simple and accessible experience for taxpayers, tax agents and BAS agents.
The ATO advised that consultation will continue as the solution is refined and progressed towards implementation.
Tax Time changes
Digital service providers' lens
Members discussed Tax Time 2026 changes affecting digital service providers and practitioners, including the introduction of taxable payments annual report (TPAR) prefilling.
Members raised concerns that taxpayers may assume prefilled TPAR information represents complete income information when it may only represent a subset of reportable payments.
Members requested greater visibility of how the ATO intends to communicate the limitations of TPAR prefilling to taxpayers and practitioners. The ATO confirmed tax returns will not be automatically amended based on TPAR prefill information.
ATO lens
An update was provided on Tax Time initiatives and system changes, including Online services for agents’ enhancements and Payday Super readiness activities.
Members discussed the closure of the Small Business Superannuation Clearing House (SBSCH) and raised concerns regarding future access to historical information and communications to affected users.
Members sought clarification regarding future reporting capabilities within self-managed super fund annual returns and whether information like member account transaction service reporting may become available.
Practice mail
An update was provided on work being undertaken through the Tax Practitioner Improvements Consultation Working Group and broader discussions regarding the future of practice mail and practitioner interactions with the ATO.
Members reiterated concerns regarding practice mail functionality, particularly categories, visibility and usability. Members acknowledged the need to consider both immediate improvements and longer-term solutions to support digital interactions between practitioners and the ATO.
The ATO noted that feedback relating to practice mail categories and related functionality is being considered through Tax Practitioner Improvements Consultation Working Group discussions and will be shared with us when appropriate.
Payday Super
The ATO provided an update on Payday Super readiness activities and stakeholder communications ahead of implementation on 1 July 2026.
Members discussed voluntary disclosure statements, practitioner guidance and employer readiness. Members highlighted the importance of ensuring consistency between public guidance, clarity of messaging and stakeholder understanding.
Members raised concerns regarding employer visibility of superannuation information and the timing of compliance interventions with members tax time highlighting the need for more proactive communications and support mechanisms.
Environmental scan
Members discussed emerging issues affecting practitioners and taxpayers.
This included concerns regarding bank account details where account details may be removed by the ATO due to validation issues without sufficient notification to taxpayers or agents.
Other business
The group noted the following tabled papers:
- Modernisation of Tax Administration
- Operation Flute Post Simulation Review
- Consultation and working group updates.