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‘Very handy’: ATO provides guidance on client STP reporting status

Regulation

The Tax Office has been commended for notifying tax and BAS agents on the single touch payroll reporting status of their clients, with the profession called to ramp up preparation ahead of the impending start date.

By Reporter 8 minute read

Last week, the ATO sent out an email to tax and BAS agents with a list of clients who lodged a payment summary annual report for 2017-18, and their single touch payroll (STP) reporting status as at 1 May 2019.

Speaking to The Bookkeeper, Lotus Accountants director Kylie Parker said the correspondence was welcome, giving her a handy starting point to identify the work needed to be done with respective clients.

“[It was] definitely useful for providing a starting point of clients to ensure they are aware of the changes and assigning or delegating the process to either the client, bookkeeper or internal team members, “ said Ms Parker.

However, Ms Parker noted that the list would not include any clients that started during the year or who have added staff.

 “I’d rather have it as a starting point than have nothing, it was also handy to be able to see at a glance the level of work we need to do,” said Ms Parker.

“Employers will need to provide information to their staff on the changes and also advising them to set up a myGov account to access the data if STP is commenced in this financial year.

“Accountants providing a pro forma email for clients to do this will help them in delivering the message to their employees. BAS and tax agents also need to obtain STP authorisations from clients who are eligible in providing this authority.

“I recommend all advisers who will be lodging STP information to sign up for the webcast the ATO is holding on 30 May as ignorance is no excuse for not helping clients navigate this important compliance change.”

 

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