- Do business with us online video transcript
Why should businesses use ATO online?
As part of the move towards providing more contemporary services, the ATO and other government agencies have applied a digital first approach to reduce red tape and simplify the administrative and regulatory burden small businesses face.
How can businesses get started?
Firstly, it’s important to register for an AUSkey, because without it you won’t be able to access online services. Next, we encourage you to adopt electronic record-keeping and preferably business software that is Standard Business Reporting enabled or SBR enabled. It will save time and minimise compliance costs by allowing you to keep accurate records and meet reporting requirements directly from your accounting or payroll system.
We also encourage you to join the one million small businesses that lodge their business activity statements online, either directly through your SBR enabled software, or by using the Business Portal. For employers with 19 or fewer employees, we recommend you register and use the free online Small Business Superannuation Clearing House which allows you to pay your super contributions in one transaction to a single location. You simply register your employees’ super fund details and we distribute the contributions to their various super funds for you. To find out more or to register, go to ato.gov.au/sbsch and don’t forget to stay updated with the latest business news and tips by subscribing to the new Small business newsroom.
What are the benefits of using ATO online?
The various online channels as well as self-help products and support services mean that less time is spent searching for financial documents and worrying about errors, leaving more time for what small business owners do best - that is, run their business.
What else can businesses find online?
A number of improvements to our website were the direct result of community feedback and input and include things like:
- improving navigation
- providing direct access to support tools, including things like calculators and forms that are customised to the topic that you’re looking at
- also providing direct access to the most frequently used tasks and information, and
- fast access to the latest news and updates.
Can businesses lodge online?
Yes, businesses can lodge their activity statements online either directly through SBR enabled software or by using the Business Portal. SBR enabled software enables businesses to generate other annual reports that can also be lodged online. And if you’re a sole trader running your own business, you have the option of completing your individual tax return yourself using e-tax.