What is a MCS
The member contributions statement (MCS) is an annual statement used for the 2017–18 and prior years to report:
- contributions you received for each member during the financial year
- the balance and other attributes of the account they held in the fund.
The MCS for the 2017–18 financial year was due 31 October 2018.
Amendments to information reported on the MCS in the 2017–18 financial year and prior years should be done using Online services for business.
For detailed information to how to complete the MCS for 2017–18 and prior years, see Member contributions statement protocolExternal Link.
From 2018-19, the MCS has been replaced by the Member Account Attributes Service (MAAS) and the Member Account Transaction Service (MATS). For more information, see Fund reporting protocol.
How we use the MCS for 2017–18 and prior years
We use the MCS for 2017–18 and prior years to:
- display information online to help members understand, manage and consolidate their super accounts
- calculate the super co-contribution, low income super contribution (for concessional contributions made between 1 July 2012 and 30 June 2017) and low income superannuation tax offset (for concessional contributions made from 1 July 2017) for eligible members, and pay entitlements to the appropriate destination
- calculate each member’s concessional and non-concessional contributions and assess, and administer excess contributions tax and the 'Fairer taxation of excess concessional contributions' measure
- assess the member’s liability to Division 293 tax
- check employer compliance with the super guarantee
- identify amounts to be collected for former temporary residents.
What to include in the MCS
You need to report for every person who was a member during the financial year for 2017-18 and prior years. This includes members who received no contributions during the year and those who rolled over their benefits or exited the fund before the end of the financial year.
If you rollover all or part of the member's super interest to another fund during the year, you must still lodge an MCS for that member and report all contributions received prior to the rollover.
How to lodge
Electronic lodgment
You can lodge your MCS for 2017–18 and prior years electronically as a file transfer through Online services for business.
You must lodge electronically if you’re reporting for 20 or more members. If you're reporting for fewer than 20 members, electronic reporting is optional.
The format of your MCS file must meet the current MCS electronic reporting specificationExternal Link.
You’ll receive an online receipt when the report is lodged.
Paper lodgment
You can only lodge a paper form if you’re reporting for:
- fewer than 20 members – use the form Super member contributions statement for 2012–13 to 2017–18 financial years
- Super member contributions statement for 2007–08 to 2011–12 financial years
- Super member contributions statement 2007 and earlier years.
In each case, you can still lodge electronically if you prefer.
Lodging through a supplier or agent
If a supplier (agent) lodges the MCS on your behalf, you must make a written declaration that:
- you have authorised the supplier to give the MCS to us
- the information you gave to the supplier to prepare the document is true and correct.
Give the declaration to the supplier and keep a copy for 5 years. You must show us this declaration if we ask to see it.
If the report is lodged:
- electronically – you can make your declaration using the Supplier lodgment declaration
- on paper – the declaration is included as part of the form.
For more information, see Member contributions statement protocolExternal Link.
Amendments
If you discover any material errors or omissions in the information you reported in your MCS, you must lodge an amended MCS within 30 days of becoming aware of these errors.
You must ensure that all the correct, previously reported data in the original MCS for those accounts is re-reported on the amended MCS, exactly as it was in the original lodgment. This is because an amended statement for a particular member account replaces the original MCS for that account.
You must not amend an MCS merely because a member wants to change the amount or character of the contributions they made during the year, to avoid an excess contributions tax liability.
Penalties
Penalties may apply if you:
- don't lodge the MCS on time
- don't report for all your members and former members who held an interest in the fund at any time during the year
- provide incorrect information.
The amount of penalty depends on your fund's assessable income and how late the lodgment was.
For more information, see False or misleading statement penalty.