While most lawyers do the right thing, ATO reviews of the legal profession reveal lower rates of lodgment and on-time payment of tax than they would like to see. Find out what the ATO and the community expect of your lawyer clients so you can help them get it right.

Learn about key system updates in Online services for agents.

ATO online services now use the Australian Government’s Digital ID System to verify your ID, better protecting your personal information. This is part of their commitment to delivering an efficient, stronger and more secure experience. You’ll notice 2 new screens during the login process:

1. Digital ID provider selection: choose your preferred Digital ID provider (e.g. myID)
2. Consent for information sharing: provide consent for your information to be shared with the online service (e.g. RAM).

For a faster log in, you can select ‘Remember my choice’ and ‘Yes, remember my consent’. This is not recommended if you use a shared device.

The update to the login process ensures your personal information is more secure and better safeguarded.

Ask yourself these questions before you apply for lodgment deferrals –

1. Are the circumstances exceptional or unforeseen?
2. Does your client have a 15 May due date?
3. Do you need tailored support?

If your SMSF had transfer balance account events in the last quarter, you must lodge a TBAR by 28 April 2025.

The benchmarks are a valuable tool for small businesses wanting to stay in good financial health.

It is important all NFPs are aware of their obligations and don’t delay lodging their first self-review return.

Commencing for the 2023–24 income year, more than 100,000 non-charitable not-for-profits (NFPs) with an active Australian business number (ABN) are now required to lodge an annual self-review return to notify of their eligibility to self-assess as income tax exempt.

What you need to do if you are a foreign person buying Australian residential or non-residential assets.

• Steps to buying Australian residential property
• Are you a foreign person buying property iin Australia
• Types of property you can buy
• Apply to buy residential property as a foreign investment
• Residential fees for a foreign person
• Request waiver of an application fee
• Exemption certificates for property developers
• How a foreign person registers a residential property
• Vacancy fee return for foreign owners
• How a foreign investor registers non-residential assets
• How the ATO ensure compliance by a foreign person
• Contact the ATO about foreign investment
  
  

If using a tax agent to lodge your SAR, your lodgment due date is either 15 May or 5 June 2025.