Agenda item: – from the previous meeting were accepted and updates were provided for each of the open action items (as per the updated ). Agenda item: – As of 21 September 2017, over 32% of tax agent lodgments for the month were submitted via PLS. We have received over 1.5 million returns to date through the PLS channel this year including 18,740 lodgments on Monday despite the system outage. Our engagement team have visited 1,153 agents and contacted another 15,300 by phone. The environment appears to have changed in the last month, with increased awareness of PLS and more agents contacting us with questions or for assistance. Agents are also paying attention to communication they are receiving from their DSP. Agenda item: – Exploring real-time analytics for tax practitioners The group met on Friday 15 September 2017 to explore the following three elements: Prior-year messaging the position was accepted and should be – relatively easy to implement. Real-time messaging it was agreed that this would be valuable as a – longer term prospect and could be achieved offline, using a web call, or as part of the pre-lodgment service. We are investigating how this could be implemented and will come back to the group with details around the viability of each option and when we could deliver them. Provision of lower level information we will be consulting with tax – agents to see how this element fits in with their business practices and are looking at how the design may impact ATO policy. We are looking to hold the next meeting in the next fortnight to provide an update on what is possible for Tax Time 2018 and Tax Time 2019. In terms of the lower level information, there are about 122,000 agents that will lodge the work-related expenses schedule for the 2016 year. It is not a mandatory item and we only request it if an agent is required to lodge it as part of an audit process.
Agenda item: – from the previous meeting were accepted and updates were provided for each of the open action items (as per the updated ). Agenda item: – As of 21 September 2017, over 32% of tax agent lodgments for the month were submitted via PLS. We have received over 1.5 million returns to date through the PLS channel this year including 18,740 lodgments on Monday despite the system outage. Our engagement team have visited 1,153 agents and contacted another 15,300 by phone. The environment appears to have changed in the last month, with increased awareness of PLS and more agents contacting us with questions or for assistance. Agents are also paying attention to communication they are receiving from their DSP. Agenda item: – Exploring real-time analytics for tax practitioners The group met on Friday 15 September 2017 to explore the following three elements: Prior-year messaging – the position was accepted and should be relatively easy to implement. Real-time messaging – it was agreed that this would be valuable as a longer term prospect and could be achieved offline, using a web call, or as part of the pre-lodgment service. We are investigating how this could be implemented and will come back to the group with details around the viability of each option and when we could deliver them. Provision of lower level information – we will be consulting with tax agents to see how this element fits in with their business practices and are looking at how the design may impact ATO policy. We are looking to hold the next meeting in the next fortnight to provide an update on what is possible for Tax Time 2018 and Tax Time 2019. In terms of the lower level information, there are about 122,000 agents that will lodge the work-related expenses schedule for the 2016 year. It is not a mandatory item and we only request it if an agent is required to lodge it as part of an audit process.
PLS_Transition_Roundtable_Outcomes_26Sept2017.docx