The methodical form-by-form closure of the electronic lodgement service (ELS) gateway has just commenced. From early April this year, for example, 2017 and future FBT returns will only be able to be lodged through the ATO’s new practitioner lodgement service (PLS).
The in-coming principal electronic lodgment channel for tax practitioners, the PLS is the result of collaboration between the ATO and software providers. The aim is to ensure access to the PLS is available to be incorporated into practitioner software as a safety net as practitioners make the transition. Software providers will determine whether, or how, they plan to provide access to the safety net in their software.
Apart from FBT lodgement, all other forms, services and reports will remain available in the ELS, and will be progressively removed from September 30, 2017 based on the ATO’s discussions with software providers. This includes activity statements, client lists and client updates. The ATO should let tax professionals know when it plans to remove any of these other services.
The ATO says that if practitioners have not already started using the PLS, it has been assured by software providers that they will let users know when they expect to make this software available, and what needs to be done to make the transition.
The transition involves making your software Standard Business Reporting (SBR) enabled. SBR is built into business and accounting software, and incorporates standard terms used in government legislation and reporting.
“PLS lays the foundation for significant future opportunities for more services to be provided through your software to improve how you prepare and lodge returns, activity statements and schedules with us,” the ATO says.
Support for the PLS
Use the Practitioner lodgment service (PLS) checklist to help you get ready to lodge through the PLS.The Practitioner lodgment service (PLS) help guide is a step-by-step guide to help you use the PLS.The Practitioner lodgment service (PLS) user guide supplements the supporting documentation provided with your software.Where the PLS or software issues prevent you from lodging on time, you can request a PLS Deferral for lodgment and payment, if it is within 48 hours of a lodgment due date.
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