Future tax environment
(Links to strategic priority – Recognise, empower and support current and future tax practitioners)
Professional association members led a discussion on the future tax environment through the tax practitioner lens, focusing on:
- future tax professionals, which considered some of the challenges of attracting and retaining new entrants to the profession, offshoring challenges and the importance of increasing awareness of the different opportunities within the tax profession
- future tax system perspectives, which considered the broader impacts of wealth transfers from superannuation and discretionary trusts, the impacts to the profession from law changes and the interconnection of the tax law ecosystem and education
- future technology, tools and services, which considered education and the adoption of technology, digitisation, security, fraud risks and impacts on non-digital clients and agents.
The group will further discuss each of these themes through an ATO lens at the June meeting.
Taxable payments reporting system
(Links to strategic priority – Increase trust and confidence in the administration of the tax and superannuation systems)
From the 2025–26 financial year, all lodgments of Taxable payments annual reports (TPAR) must be made through a digital channel. The last financial year in which the TPAR can be lodged on paper is 2024–25.
Taxpayers and their tax professional representatives who lodged a TPAR by paper last tax time (in 2024), will receive correspondence advising of this and will be provided information on their future options. The ATO will continue to support this group as they transition to the digital channel.
Member comments
Members suggested that receiving a report on clients who have outstanding TPAR lodgments would be beneficial. The ATO will look into the feasibility of this.
Client-to-agent linking
(Links to strategic priority – Safeguard the security of the tax and superannuation systems)
The ATO has commenced agent authorisation consultation (client-to-agent linking for individuals and sole traders) as part of their broader program of work to strengthen the security of their systems and to protect taxpayer data.
The ATO will consult with a diverse group of tax practitioners, industry sector groups, professional associations and digital service providers to seek their input and feedback including consulting with individuals and sole traders on their experience and the usability of the system. This consultation aims to support the development of the design, change management, support requirements and delivery options.
The ATO highlighted it will consult on elements where it can, noting that there will be some elements of the design that are restricted due to cost or system requirements, and these won’t be able to be consulted on.
Member comments
Members requested the ATO supply the group with a list of items raised during consultations that the ATO has deemed not feasible to progress. The ATO agreed to provide this information at future meetings.
Members highlighted the complexity that exists with sole traders straddling the business and individual spheres which may add complexity to the system.
Member refresh
(Links to strategic priority – Increase trust and confidence in the administration of the tax and superannuation systems)
The Tax Practitioner Stewardship Group (TPSG) will undertake a refresh of tax practitioner members. In line with the updated charter, tax practitioner members are appointed for a 2 year term with opportunity to apply for another 2 year extension before they are required step down for a 2 year period before being able to reapply.
Professional associations have a standing position on the TPSG.
The member refresh is about ensuring good governance and diversity in the ATO’s consultation processes.
Member comments
Members noted the benefits of bringing new members into the group, as it brings new ideas. Consideration should be given to long term members.
Members also observed it would be beneficial to ensure there is support for new members being onboarded to orientate them to the group.
Environmental scan
Members led the environmental scan discussion, covering a range of issues including:
- zone tax offset
- quarterly to monthly activity statements for some businesses
- practice mail
- Commissioner of Taxation v Bendel decision.
Attendees
|
Organisation |
Member |
|---|---|
|
ATO |
Andrew Watson (Co-chair), Individuals and Intermediaries |
|
ATO |
Elissa Walker, Individuals and Intermediaries |
|
ATO |
Grant Brodie, Frontline Operations |
|
ATO |
Michael Rowell, Enterprise Solutions and Technology |
|
ATO |
Sonia Corsini, Individuals and Intermediaries |
|
ATO |
Will Day, Small Business |
|
The Tax Institute |
Robyn Jacobson (Co-chair) |
|
Australian Bookkeepers Association |
Peter Thorp |
|
Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand |
Susan Franks |
|
CPA Australia |
Bill Leung |
|
Institute of Certified Bookkeepers |
Matthew Addison |
|
Institute of Financial Professionals Australia |
Mark Dodds |
|
Institute of Public Accountants |
Tony Greco |
|
Tax Practitioner |
Ani Tuna |
|
Tax Practitioner |
Brian Greenacre |
|
Tax Practitioner |
Dean Forte |
|
Tax Practitioner |
Julian Shimmin |
|
Tax Practitioner |
Keith Clissold |
|
Tax Practitioner |
Ken Thomas |
|
Tax Practitioner |
Phil McCann |
|
Tax Practitioner |
Steven Inglis |
|
Tax Practitioners Board |
Debra Anderson |
|
Tax Practitioners Board |
Peter deCure |
Apologies list
|
Organisation |
Member |
|---|---|
|
ATO |
Emma Rosenzweig, Superannuation and Employer Obligations |
|
National Tax and Accountants Association |
Rodney Wilson |
|
Tax Practitioner |
Ursula Lepporoli |