Is submitting paper based tax return allow by tax agent?

(Initiate)Initiate

30 Oct 2025

Hi, I am a small tax agent in remote area servicing the community for free. I am still on a paper base return.

In 2024 lodgement, one of my client got general interest charge even lodge ontime (my report show as 15May as due date). Although ATO remit the interest but I was told the client is not cover under my lodgement program and was asked to read QC34571. The client had been with me for 20 years and the only issue is I don't lodge electronically.

My question:

Is this a compulsory condition for tax agent to lodge electronically so the clients able to cover under the agent program and have more time to lodge? On my list they are all due in May 2026 for 2025 return.

Anyone know how to lodge client tax return from ATO website electronically or any free software available from ATO. I cannot afford a commercial software as I don't charge fee.

Appreciate a representative from ATO can reply this. Thank you,

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6 replies

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NikkiATO

(Community Moderator)Community Moderator

24 Nov 2025

Hi @MC530,

For setting up electronic lodgment, you'll need to contact different areas depending on your specific needs.

Regarding Cloud software authentication and authorisation (CAA), this depends on your software type. If you use online (cloud-based) SBR-enabled software, you don't need to create a credential yourself. Your digital service provider will build the authentication into your software. However, you must notify us that you're using online software through the hosted SBR-software service notification process.

If you use desktop or locally hosted SBR-enabled software, you'll need to create a machine credential using Relationship Authorisation Manager and set up the appropriate appointments in Access Manager.

Contact our Technical help desk on 1300 287 539 for electronic lodgment setup assistance or phone 13 72 86 Fast Key Code 3 1 2 for general PLS support. Your software provider should also guide you on the specific authentication steps needed for your software type.

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JayATO

(Community Support)Community Support

4 Nov 2025

Hiya @MC530,

Yes, you must use a registered agent number and lodge electronically to ensure your clients receive lodgment program due dates. If you lodge by paper or without a registered agent number, your clients won't be eligible for any lodgement program due dates available to registered agents.

You may be able to find some low/no cost programs through our SBR enabled software register.

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MC530

(Initiate)Initiate

22 Nov 2025

Thank you Jay.

the website has a lot of suppliers, due to the free or low cost services I provided, I really want to have a free tax lodgment software. Anything ATO can provide? for agent to use, similar to the myTax?

Thanks

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NikkiATO

(Community Moderator)Community Moderator

24 Nov 2025

Hi @MC530,

Someone in our community may be able to assist with this one. We're not able to provide suggestions or recommendations ourselves.

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MC530

(Initiate)Initiate

22 Nov 2025

Also which section in ATO I can contact regarding set up of electronic lodgement.
Do i set up cloud software authentication and authorisation (CAA) with ATO or the software provider?

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Most helpful reply

NikkiATO

(Community Moderator)Community Moderator

24 Nov 2025

Hi @MC530,

For setting up electronic lodgment, you'll need to contact different areas depending on your specific needs.

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