Address changes
You can elect to have different postal addresses for a client's dealings with us.
Income tax address
A client's income tax address is automatically updated when an income tax return is lodged. However, this won't automatically update other addresses. You'll need to update your client's other addresses separately.
Activity statements address
You can update a client's address for receiving correspondence from us by:
- updating it in Online services for agents
- lodging a client update (CU) form via the practitioner lodgment service (PLS).
Financial institution details
If we have up-to-date financial institution details (FID) for your clients, we can:
- process their tax returns faster
- automatically pay refunds for interest on early payments.
You can view, add, update and delete the FID for your client's income tax and activity statement accounts in Online services for agents.
When you lodge multiple returns for a client, each return must include their personal details, such as:
- email address
- phone number
- FID.
We'll only use these FID to deposit refunds and ATO-held super. We don't use them for direct debits.
To view and update a client's FID, follow the Online services for agents user guide.
You can also watch our video How to update financial institution details in Online services for agents.
When we request FID
From 1 January 2025, there are changes to the Taxation Administration Act 1953. The changes provide the ATO with a discretionary power to retain refunds for up to 90 days where we don't have a taxpayer's FID.
Currently this applies to certain:
- income tax refunds
- fringe benefits tax refunds.
If your client's FID have not been provided, you may receive a letter via Online services for agents, or your clients may receive a message via myGov, email or letter requesting updated FID.
Once the FID is updated, the refund will issue via EFT. EFT payments are faster and more secure than cheques.
If the details are not updated within 90 days, the refund will issue as a cheque.
If your clients' refunds are deposited into your practice's account, you'll need to make sure these details are also up to date.
Checking a client's name
You can check the name we have listed for your client by:
- viewing the 'Client details' in Online services for agents
- requesting an 'Income Tax Client List' through PLS.
Name changes for individuals and sole traders
If any of your individual or sole trader clients need to lodge returns under a name that isn't current on our records, it must be updated with us before you lodge their income tax return.
Your clients can update their name with us by quoting details from an identity document we can verify.
Your client can sign in to myGovExternal Link and select ATO from their linked services, then choose Update contact details.
If they don't have a myGov account, find out how they can create one at myGov account and linking to the ATO.
Alternatively, you can update their details by phoning us on 13 72 86 Fast Key Code 1 2 5 2 and providing information from your client’s identity document.
Identity documents
Identity documents we can verify are:
- Australian birth certificate (full certificate, not an extract)
- Australian marriage certificate
- Australian change of name certificate.
We'll verify the identity document details with the issuing agencies.
Lodge prior-year returns
When lodging income tax returns for multiple years, you must use your client’s most current information on all returns. This applies even when you lodge them on or around the same day.
This includes their:
- name
- address
- Australian FID.