The BAS Agent - Edition 9

You've got 'Mail'

Did you know that the BAS Agent Portal allows you to send messages to and receive messages from us on a range of topics?

Read about the 'Mail' function, including available topics and some handy tips, by referring to Using Mail in the BAS Agent Portal.

^ top

Using the client directory in the BAS Agent Portal

The client directory displays a full list of all your clients - that is, all taxpayers that have your registered agent number recorded in specific ATO systems.

Check mailing addresses

Mailing addresses for activity statements and instalment notices do not get automatically updated when your client lodges their income tax return.

If your clients have recently re-entered pay as you go (PAYG) instalments after lodging their income tax returns, we recommend you check their address details listed on the BAS Agent Portal by using The client directory.

Lodgement of business activity statements

We will soon be contacting a number of registered agents about clients that may have outstanding business activity statement/s (BAS). We plan to contact both tax agents and BAS agents where our records indicate their clients have at least one BAS outstanding and request lodgment.

When we make contact, we may need to discuss multiple clients listed against your registered agent number. 
  

To assist us to avoid unnecessary contact, we recommend that you ensure that your client's details are updated in The client directory.

^ top

Lodge original activity statements

You must lodge original activity statements with us, as we will not accept statements that have been copied or duplicated in any way.

You may, however want to keep a copy for your client's records as evidence of the lodgment of the activity statement.

For more tips on completing your clients' activity statements, refer to Common GST errors when completing your activity statement.

^ top

Combating the cash economy

If you have clients who operate businesses where cash transactions are common, our new webpage provides practical information and support tools to help them get it right.

We know the majority of taxpayers do the right thing; however some people deliberately under‑report their cash income and undermine the fairness of our system.

The Cash economy webpage contains details of our expanding ability to detect, deter and deal with those don't comply.

^ top

BAS agents - home

Our BAS agents - home web page covers topics identified in consultation with you. It contains information that will be helpful to you, your clients and your business.

You may like to save BAS agents - home to 'Favorites' in your web browser for easy access to this information.

To keep up-to-date with all new information on our website, visit www.ato.gov.au and select 'What's New' on the banner at the top of the page, or Subscribe to updates via RSS.

^ top

What's new?

We have selected some of the new and updated documents recently published to our website, which may be of interest to you as BAS agents.

Keydates
November key dates for registered agents.

Lodgment and information systems comparison for BAS agents
A comparison between the ways you can work with us to lodge returns, view client information and communicate with us.

Add a client using the BAS Agent Portal
You can add a client to your client list using the BAS Agent Portal.

Remove a client using the BAS Agent Portal
You can remove a client from your client list using the BAS Agent Portal.

Online access manager
Online access manager (OAM) is a tool in the BAS Agent Portal that allows greater control of portal access within a practice.

GST and the export of boats
The government has announced this measure will apply from 1 July 2011.

Interpretative Decisions ATO ID 2010/194
Goods and services tax (GST) and supply by way of lease of a building designed to provide tertiary student accommodation.

Commissioner of Taxation Annual Report 2009-10
This annual report details the performance of the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) over the 2009-10 period (NAT 0995-10.2010).

^ top