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Tax agent phone services (Fast Key Code) guide

Fast Key Codes so you can key ahead to options when phoning us and online options so you don't have to phone.

Last updated 27 November 2023

Check online first

If an online option is available, we recommend that you use it before phoning us. If you phone about something that can be resolved through an online channel, we will direct you to that channel.

Use our digital education resources and tax agent online services guide to get the most out of our online services.

Before phoning us, check you have your:

Phone us

You can phone us on 13 72 86 between 8:00 am and 6:00 pm, Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays. Throughout the year, we offer extended hours service. Check our Contact us page to see if extend hours currently apply.

If you can't resolve a tax or super law-related enquiry, or a complex administrative matter relating to your client, through existing channels you may be eligible to use our Tax practitioner assistance service.

Our Fast Key Codes

Fast Key Codes allow you to key ahead to the option of your choice without listening to the entire menu.

This Tax agent phone services (Fast Key Code) guide will direct you to the right Fast Key Code for the topic you need to phone us about. It is important you use the correct Fast Key Code so you are directed to the right person with the right skills. If you select the incorrect Fast Key Code, your call may need to be transferred and longer wait times will apply.

When you look up the Fast Key Codes in this guide, you will also find information and links to any available online options. Save time by using the online options rather than phoning us.

We recommend you bookmark this page as we regularly update it.

The Fast Key Codes (and online options) are:

Along with the following specific information, we also have useful information on business activity statements and how to prepare and lodge.

Activity statements: completing, requesting and revising

Fast Key Codes for activity statements

Topic and ATO website information

Online services available

13 72 86
Fast Key Code

Assistance completing Activity statements, including:

For more help in completing Activity Statement labels, see our Instructions

You can do this on Online Services for Agents

For how to do it, watch our How to lodge an activity statement video

For more help with lodging online, use our Online Services for agents activity statement user guide

1 4 1

Generating a new or replacing an activity statement

Revising a lodged activity statement

You can do this on Online Services for Agents

For how to do it, watch our How to revise an activity statement video

1 4 1

Respond to our request to contact us about activity statement exceptions

None

1 4 2

Debt, payments and account information

Fast Key Codes for debt and payment

Topic and ATO website information

Online Services available

13 72 86
Fast Key Code

General interest charge (GIC) calculations, remission and GIC rates

Failure to lodge (FTL) on time penalty calculations and remission

You can do this on Online Services for Agents

For how you can do this online, see Request remission

1 2 2

Higher education loan program (HELP)

For more information in understanding HELP, see Study and training support loans

None

1 2 1

Explanation of account – individual

None

1 2 5 2

Explanation of account – non-individual

None

1 2 5 1

Payment plan

For support options, see Help with paying

You can do this on Online Services for Agents

For how to do it, watch:

1 2 2

Refund or credit transfer for individuals

You can do this on Online Services for Agents

For how to do it, see:

1 2 5 2

Refund or credit transfer for non-individuals

You can do this on Online Services for Agents

For how to do it, see:

1 2 5 1

Variations to vary an individual pay as you go (PAYG) rate of withholding

You can do this on Online Services for Agents

For how to lodge a downward variation, see Variations

1 2 3

Feedback, complaints and reporting tax evasion

Fast Key Codes for feedback, complaints, and reporting tax evasion

Topic and ATO website information

Online Services available

13 72 86
Fast Key Code

Business tax feedback and complaints

You can do this on Online Services for Agents

For how to do it, see Tax agent feedback and complaints

3 2 1 2

Individual tax feedback and complaints

You can do this on Online Services for Agents

For how to do it, see Tax agent feedback and complaints

3 2 1 1

Superannuation feedback and complaints

You can do this on Online Services for Agents

For how to do it, see Tax agent feedback and complaints

3 2 1 3

All other feedback, complaints and compliments

You can do this on Online Services for Agents

For how to do it, see Tax agent feedback and complaints

3 2 1 4

Report fraud, tax evasion, a planning scheme or unpaid super (including phoenix or shadow economy activity)

ATO online tip-off form

3 4

Lodgment, including all business and individual obligations

Along with the following specific information, we also have useful information on how to prepare and lodge and apply for private rulings.

Fast Key Codes for lodgment

Topic and ATO website information

Online Services available

13 72 86
Fast Key Code

Business lodgments, including:

  • activity statements
  • Single Touch Payroll
  • tax returns
  • GST at settlement
  • fringe benefits tax

For help:

You can use Online Services for Agents for:

  • activity statements
  • tax returns

You can use Practitioner Lodgment Service for tax returns

For how to lodge activity statements online, see:

For tax return online services, see:

  • Income tax in our Online services for agents user guide
  • Lodging in PLS

1 3 1 1

Foreign resident capital gains withholding lodgment, including:

To access our online form, see Clearance certificate application for Australian residents

1 3 1 2

Individual tax return lodgments

You can use our Practitioner Lodgment Service

For how to lodge online, see Lodging using the PLS

1 3 1 2

Super lodgment and reporting

You can use Online Services for Agents

To see what you can do online, see Super in our Online services for agents user guide

4 6

Tax agent lodgment program information and assistance

None

1 3 2

Respond to a lodgment notice from us

None

1 3 3

Online services and practice support

Along with the following specific information, we also have useful information in PLS help and system availability and Online services for agents user guide.

Fast Key Codes for Online services and practice support

Topic and ATO website information

13 72 86
Fast Key Code

myGovIDExternal Link or Relationship Authorisation Manager (RAM)External Link

3 5

Assistance with Online services for agents including:

3 3

Registration and updating client details

If your query relates to your tax agent registration, visit the Tax Practitioners BoardExternal Link website.

Fast Key Codes for registration and updating client details

Topic and ATO website information

Online Services available

13 72 86
Fast Key Code

Duplicate TFN or ABN

None

1 1 1

GST grouping and branching

Joint venture registrations

Consolidations and government-controlled registrations

None

1 1 2

General registration enquiries, including tax registrations

New or changes to registration details, including GST, PAYGW and FTC

You can use Online Services for Agents

For how to do it, see How to update, cancel or add registrations

1 1 3

Update bank details

You can use Online Services for Agents

For how to do it, watch Update financial institution details

1 2 5 2

Update your individual client's name

None

1 2 5 2

Superannuation

Fast Key Codes for Superannuation

Topic and ATO website information

Online Services available

13 72 86
Fast Key Code

Downsizing contributions into superannuation

To check if and how money can be contributed, see Downsizer super contributions

None

4 4

Early access on compassionate grounds, including eligible expenses and evidence needed to access super

None

4 4

First home super saver scheme

None

4 4

Division 293, including checking if Division 293 tax has to be paid

None

4 3

Self-managed super funds (SMSF)

To understand more about SMSF, see Self-managed super funds

None

4 3

Small business super clearing house (SBSCH)

None

4 5

Superannuation contributions surcharge

None

4 1 2

General super enquiries including:

  • lodgment and reporting requirements
  • lost and unclaimed superannuation
  • transferring super

You can use Online Services for Agents

4 6

Super guarantee including:

  • account explanation
  • calculators
  • payments
  • deferrals
  • super guarantee charge

You can use Online Services for Agents

For how to lodge SGC statements online, see Super guarantee charge statement

4 2

Income streams

Excess contributions

Concessional and non-concessional contributions

None

4 2

Tax law and advice

Our website has significant online resources to help you with your query. We have included links to those resources in the table below.

Only use the listed Fast Key Codes for enquiries about the correct interpretation of tax and superannuation law. Some of the topics listed are complex and, depending on the specifics of your question, we may not be able to provide you with an immediate answer.

Fast Key Codes for Tax law and advice

Topic and ATO website information

13 72 86
Fast Key Code

Capital gains tax (CGT) – general enquiries, including:

  • how CGT applies (general rules)
  • assets and schedules
  • general calculations
  • capital improvements to a property
  • destruction of dwelling
  • property rules and disposal of vacant land
  • buy-backs

2 1 2 2

Capital gains tax (CGT) – all other enquiries, including:

  • CGT calculations
  • exemptions
  • roll-over events
  • small business concessions
  • foreign residents
  • inherited assets and separate assets
  • land and buildings
  • employee share scheme

2 1 2 1

Consolidation

2 1 3

Crypto assets

2 1 2

Employee share schemes

2 1 2 1

Excise on alcohol and fuel schemes (excluding fuel tax credits)

1 1 5

Foreign resident capital gains withholding clearance certificates

2 1 2 3

Fringe benefits tax (FBT) tax law advice

For information on how FBT affects businesses, not-for-profit and government employers, see Fringe benefits tax

2 4 1

Fuel tax credits tax law advice

1 1 4

GST tax law advice

2 3

Higher education loan program (HELP) – Study and training support loans

1 2 1

Imputation

2 1 3

Tax return tax law advice for business, including:

  • companies
  • partnerships
  • trusts (including deceased estates)

See also Income and deductions for business

2 1 3

Tax return tax law advice for individuals

See also Income, deductions, offsets and records

2 1 4

International tax for business

2 1 3

Tax losses

2 1 3

New legislation – business

2 5

New legislation – personal

2 1 4

Non-commercial losses

2 1 3

Non-profit organisations

2 4 2

PAYG instalments

2 1 1

PAYG withholding for:

  • labour hire
  • back payments
  • lump sum payments
  • non-cash benefits
  • non residents

2 1 3

Private company benefits – Division 7A dividends

2 1 3

Research and development tax concession

2 1 3

Small business entity concessions

2 1 3

Wine equalisation tax

1 1 3

Letters – alternative phone service

When we send letters to your clients, the phone numbers we quote are for the general community.

To ensure your enquiry is handled in the right way, use the list below to respond to letters from us that quote other phone numbers.

Fast Key Codes for letters – alternative phone service

If a letter from us asks your client to phone

Instead

13 10 20

Phone 13 72 86 and select Fast Key Code 4 6

13 11 42 (debt issues)

Phone 13 72 86 and select Fast Key Code 1 2 2

13 11 42 (lodgment issues)

Phone 13 72 86 and select Fast Key Code 1 3 3

13 28 66

Phone 13 72 86 and select Fast Key Code 1 2 5 1

13 28 61

Phone 13 72 86 and select Fast Key Code 1 2 5 2

1300 130 926

Phone 13 72 86 and select Fast Key Code 1 4 2

1300 657 162

Phone 13 72 86 and select Fast Key Code 1 1 5

1300 768 912

Phone 13 72 86 and select Fast Key Code 3

Other phone services

We provide as many options as possible through the Registered agent phone line. We also have a range of other phone numbers for other topics.

General phone services

Topic

Phone number

Direct debit and refund help line

For more information on completing a direct debit request to pay personal, business and super tax liabilities, see Direct debit request

1800 802 308

myGovIDExternal Link – enquiries and support

1300 287 539
option 2 1

myGovIDExternal Link – Compromised enquiries

1300 287 539
option 2 2

Disaster events – assistance for registered agents

1800 700 724

Payment methods:

1800 815 886

Publications can be printed or ordered:

1300 720 092

Relationship Authorisation Manager (RAM)External Link – enquiries and support

1300 287 539
option 3

Using Standard Business Reporting (SBR) cloud-based enabled practice management software – Notify us of a hosted SBR software service

1300 852 232

 

 

QC47114