Keeping client lists up to date

Client lists are a useful tool that you can use to plan your lodgment workload.

Keeping your client lists up to date will help you manage your practice and better serve your clients.

Client list options

We provide tax agents with a number of client lodgment list options through the Tax Agent Portal and the electronic lodgment service (ELS).

The lodgment status reports available on the portal are:

• Income tax lodgment status report, and
• Outstanding activity statement report.

The portal lodgment status reports can be requested at any time and most will be available within one hour of making the request. The downloaded reports can be manipulated in Microsoft Excel and sorted to meet your needs.

The ELS reports include, but are not limited to:

• Income tax client list (CL)
• Activity statement client list (AS)
• Activity statement summary report (OM)
• Activity statement lodgment report (OL), and
• Due lodgment report (DL).

ELS reports can also be manipulated by downloading into Microsoft Excel or other spreadsheets.

There are small differences between the portal and ELS client lists. The portal lists are a complete list of client records which have your tax agent authorisation recorded, while the ELS lists are ‘expected lodgment lists’. When reconciling your business client list with our client lists, it is advisable to use the portal lists.

Why clean up your lists?

If a taxpayer is no longer your client then we recommend that you update your client list.

You should check that:

• the lists contain all your new clients – or take action to add any new clients
• all the clients listed are current – or take action to delete those clients you no longer represent, and
• all the clients listed need to lodge – otherwise advise us of any returns that are not necessary.

How to delete a client from your client list

To delete a client from your client list:

• log in to the Tax Agent Portal
• navigate to Authorise summary feature
• enter the taxpayer’s TFN/ABN in the box at the top right hand side of the page – if you don’t know their TFN/ABN, select Directory from the left hand navigation bar and search by their name
• select Authorisation summary from either of the following:
• the left hand navigation bar
• the command buttons at the bottom of the page
• select all roles listed for your client
• click Remove client button.

A new screen will display an address for each role.

How to update the address for a deleted client

When in this role address screen, you can choose one of the following options for each role:

• Correct if the address displayed is correct.
• Unknown if you don’t know the address.
• Update if you have an updated address for the client.

You will receive a reference number when you submit the changes. There is also a printer friendly version button if you want to print the confirmation.

By keeping your client list up to date, you will help us improve our service to you.

Last Modified: Friday, 13 November 2009