Improving EOFY Planning: The Call for ATO Portal Access for Advisers

0

The current system allows only tax and BAS agents to access ATO information on behalf of clients, creating an administrative bottleneck for advisers. O'Reilly passionately advocated for the change, noting that it would greatly facilitate the financial planning process for both advisers and their clients across the nation.

In January, the Treasury released a consultation paper titled "Review of Tax Regulator Secrecy Exceptions" to explore the possibility of extending access to registered financial advisers. Despite this, concerns were raised about the costs and cybersecurity implications of developing a platform to accommodate a relatively small number of financial professionals.

Nevertheless, the industry has largely supported the initiative, arguing that the benefits to clients far outweigh the costs. Many believe that cybersecurity fears are misplaced, pointing to the potential for reduced delays and expenses, which aligns with the Financial Advice Association Australia's earlier assertions that better outcomes for consumers seeking financial advice would result from such an access provision.

O'Reilly emphasised that financial advisers do not require full portal access but rather limited read access to essential data. This targeted access, he argued, would streamline processes without significant risk or expense. He also noted the ATO's recent leniency regarding contribution caps as a positive development offering some relief to those navigating the superannuation environment at EOFY.

Overall, the collective call within the industry is for a pragmatic approach that acknowledges both the potential administrative burden and the tangible benefits to consumers. Whether this proposal gains traction could significantly impact the landscape of financial planning in Australia, providing a more seamless EOFY experience for all involved.

Published:Wednesday, 9th Jul 2025
Source: Paige Estritori

Share this news item:

Finance News

Clear

Improving EOFY Planning: The Call for ATO Portal Access for Advisers 09 Jul 2025: Paige Estritori In a recent discussion, James O'Reilly, Director and Financial Planner at Northeast Wealth, underscored the benefits that could come from granting financial advisers access to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) portal. Speaking on The ifa Show, O'Reilly proposed that this access would significantly simplify the services financial advisers provide to clients, particularly at tax time and the end of the financial year (EOFY). - read more

RBA Holds Rates Steady, Shocking Markets and Shifting Economic Expectations 09 Jul 2025: Paige Estritori The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has decided to keep the official cash rate steady at 3.85%, taking many by surprise after expectations of a 25-basis-point cut had built up in financial circles. This unexpected move comes amid recent data indicating easing inflation and weaker than anticipated economic growth, conflicting with prior predictions of a cut. - read more

RBA to Continue Interest Rate Cuts Amid High Unemployment 08 Jul 2025: Paige Estritori The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) is anticipated to maintain its trajectory of incremental interest rate reductions, according to insights from leading financial analysts at ANZ. Recent data from the ANZ-Indeed Australian Job Ads series revealed a rise from 114.8 in May to 116.9 in June, suggesting a potential rebound in job advertisements after previous declines. Despite a stable unemployment rate and hours-based underutilisation rate since mid-2024, the Australian labour market remains strained. - read more