ATO systems and digital services
Overall, our system health is tracking well, and the waiting room for Online services for individuals haven't been required in the past week.
Tax return processing and phone services
In the past week we experienced the highest volumes of calls to date this tax time. There are less calls on the registered agent phone line compared with the same time last year.
Approximately 3 million returns have been lodged since 1 July 2024, which is around 1% increase compared with the same time last year.
Noting it is still early in the lodgment period, the volume of refunds is down, and the average refund amount has increased compared with the same time last year.
Marketing and communication
Current ATO communications focus is on encouraging taxpayers and agents to start lodging as most pre-fill data is now available, a reminder about our online progress of return checking tools, and content across a range of channels to help people understand their tax assessments.
Other current communications include:
- the top 5 working from home questions – to assist in getting claims for work-from-home deductions right, covering eligibility, rates and records that need to be maintained.
- a video for tax agents on how to view your clients ’Single Touch Payroll income statement’ in Online services for agents.
The Tax Professionals newsletter will cover topics such as how the Tax Practitioners Board (TPB) will soon be starting a personal tax obligation compliance program, what to do if a ‘Nil’ BAS still needs to be lodged on time and how the non-arm's length income and capital gains tax provisions interact to determine the amount of statutory income that is non-arm’s length income.
Reminders were issued about:
- quarterly activity statements due on 28 July, encouraging on-time lodgment and payment and reminding businesses they may get extra time to lodge and pay if they lodge online or through a tax or BAS agent.
- the small business tax time toolkit – a useful resource for agents to share with small business clients that contains fact sheets and detailed information on eligibility for new measures.
- requirements for rental property owners to include the gross amount of rent in the year their tenants paid it, not the net amount their property manager sends to them – also mentioned is the need to report each owner’s share of rent according to their legal ownership.
Small business
Further courses have been added to the Essentials to strengthen your small business online learning resource. The ATO encourages small businesses, educators and tax professionals to share and use with their staff, students and clients.
Given the progress of Tax time 2024, TPSG Tax time meetings will be held fortnightly.
Next meeting: Tuesday 6 August 2024.