Lodging using Lodgment Manager
This page contains information on lodging using CloudAuth and the Lodgment Manager. For more information on setting up your environment for CloudAuth lodgment using the Lodgment Manager, see Lodgment manager setup.
The ATO provides cloud software authentication to protect your data in online systems. It also makes it easier to lodge returns by using the Lodgment Manager homepage. See Cloud authentication on the ATO website.
If you are using MYOB Accountants Enterprise/Office and have a my.MYOB login, you can lodge using this method.
Accessing the Lodgment Manager
The Lodgment Manager can be accessed by selecting it from the Tax button.
For more information on prerequisites, filtering, and available columns, see Lodgment Manager.
When you click Lodgment Manager for the first time, we'll invite you to onboard. See the onboarding process for more information.
Before lodging a form for a client in PLS, make sure the client's been added to your ATO client list. If the client isn't in your client list, the lodgment won't be accepted by the ATO. See Managing your client list on the ATO website.
Select the checkboxes next to the returns that you wish to set as Ready to Lodge.
In the Tasks bar, click Ready to Lodge and click Yes to confirm. This outputs the returns into tag files ready for lodgment to the ATO and updates the status of the returns to Ready to Lodge.
For practices that have Completion code validation required selected in the Tax control record, after selecting Ready to Lodge, a Completion Code Validation window displays.
Select the checkboxes next to the returns in the Lodgment Manager table that are marked as Ready to Lodge.
In the Tasks bar, click Lodge.
A message box appears showing the number of Ready to lodge returns that are ready to send to the ATO. Click Lodge Now to lodge these returns.
When lodging a return, it will continue communicating with the ATO until it receives a response. You can't cancel lodged returns.
Activity statements are first pre-lodged and then lodged.
Completion code validation
For practices that have Completion code validation required selected in the Tax control record, after selecting Ready to Lodge, the Completion Code Validation window displays.
Enter the completion code from the signed declaration for each form. The code entered is validated and a symbol displays indicating if the code is correct.
At the bottom of the screen, there's a running total of how many forms are selected, the number to be completed, and if any have an incorrect code entered.
The OK button is enabled when all selected forms in the Completion Code Validation screen have a valid completion code.
Lodgment Status
Monitor the status of each form in real-time throughout the lodgment process. To see if a form has been accepted or rejected, check the status updates in the table. If a form is rejected, select it and click Print validation report to view the response from the ATO.
Each return will show one of these statuses:
Step | Status | Result |
|---|---|---|
Form is set as completed in Tax | Completed | The form is set to read-only and can't be updated. |
Form is output for lodgment | Ready to Lodge | The tag file is prepared for lodgment to the ATO. |
Form is selected and Lodge is clicked | Transmitting | The return is sent to the MYOB lodgment queue. You can re-lodge the return if any errors arise. If the return is stuck on this status, see Troubleshooting Lodgment Manager for possible solutions. |
Form for return is received from the MYOB PLS Service | Transmitted | The return is in the MYOB PLS Service, where it will be sent to the ATO. You can turn off your machine and the return will continue being sent to the ATO; if a response is received, it will be present when you turn your machine back on. If the return is stuck on this status, see Troubleshooting Lodgment Manager for possible solutions. |
Form is lodged as accepted | Lodged | The ATO has provided a response. You can view the validation report and updated status in Tax. |
Form is rejected | Rejected | Either the return was rejected by the ATO, or the return failed validation when Ready to Lodge was selected. See Troubleshooting Lodgment Manager for possible solutions. |
Validation reports
In the Lodgment Manager homepage, you can select the return and click Print validation report in the Tasks bar to view the response from the ATO.
For 2013 and earlier returns, go to the Tax Client Search page, select PLS Reports, and select the report.
If Tax is open, you can select this via Lodgment > Electronic > PLS Reports.
Differences between ELS and PLS
There are three main differences with validation reports between ELS and PLS:
Validation reports aren't automatically displayed at the end of the lodgment process. To view a validation report, click Print validation report.
There is one validation report for each form lodged. See Reporting on multiple lodgments.
Accepted returns may display warnings. See Accepted with warnings.
Reporting on multiple lodgments
Previously in ELS, when lodging multiple returns, they are processed as a batch and a single validation report is generated by the ATO. For instance, if 10 returns are submitted, a single validation report is generated for those 10 returns.
However, in PLS, the ATO will process each return as an individual transaction, rather than a batch of returns. This means that a validation report is created for each return. In the above example, you would receive 10 validation reports.
You can also use the Lodgment Batch Viewer to show the status of all lodgments. In this view, you can print a combined validation report for each lodgment or batch of lodgments – click Tasks > Tax Return > Print combined validation report. See Lodgment Batch Viewer for more information.
Accepted with Warnings
Returns that have been accepted by the ATO as valid returns may still display warnings in the validation report. These messages are warnings only and don't necessarily indicate a failed lodgment. Read the warnings in the report and take action where required.
Common warnings include:
Check taxpayer phone contact details. Neither the taxpayer's daytime phone number or mobile phone number have been provided.
Bank Account Details haven't been completed. Any refund due may be delayed.