• Tax Agent Report Request: The Agent request form is used to request reports from the ATO. When downloaded these reports can be accessed by selecting Lodgment > Electronic > ELS Reports. The reports received from the ATO are located in the ELS Reports index.

• ELS Approval Code: This field is used to enter or change the ELS approval code for the default agent. This code is issued by the ATO and indicates that your practice is approved to lodge via ELS.

• ELS Lodgment office: This drop down list is used to select the office of lodgment the ATO has assigned to your practice.

• ATO Code 1 (VPN user ID): This field displays ATO Code 1 (VPN User ID) which is used by the ATO to identify the operator as a valid user. The code is provided by the ATO and is based on the practice's ELS Approval number. It is also called the VPN user ID.

• ATO Code 2 (VPN password): This field displays ATO Code 2 (VPN password) which is used in conjunction with the ATO Code 1 to connect to the ATO Server and establish a tunnel that provides an encrypted link to the CEG. This is entered in the Passwords tab. The Internet Service Provider (ISP) Password (if you have one) and ELS Password should not be set to the same value as ATO Code 2.

• ELS User ID: This field is used to enter the ELS User ID. This is the 'login name' for the ATO CEG and is related to the ELS Approval Code (number).

• DIS Password: This field is used to display the DIS password. The DIS password and ID enable you to login to the ATO CEG.

  UI Text Box
  type note
  The DIS password is maintained automatically for you. However, in the unlikely event that you need to recover from a D01 or D03, the DIS password will need to be entered on the Passwords tab.

  The ELS Password must not be the same as ATO Code 2.

• Refer to DIS Password Maintenance.

• CEG Address: This field displays the CEG addresses in the assigned order of connection. For example, the primary address connects first, if this is unavailable the second address is used, then the third, and then the fourth. The address fields are pre-filled based on the practice's ELS Approval Number.

• Current Time: If this checkbox is ticked, it is assumed that connection will be made on demand.

• Connection Time: De-select the current time checkbox and enter the time at which the ELS lodgment software will attempt an unattended connection to the ATO.

• Time between retries: This field is used to set the amount of time in hours and minutes (HH:MM) that Tax should wait between attempts to connect to the ATO CEG.

• Use in this order (CEG Addresses): CEG Addresses are not editable. ELS IP attempts to connect to secondary CEGs automatically where it cannot connect to the Primary CEG. The order in which ELS IP tries to connect may be nominated by the user, by selecting '1' to '4' in the Use in this order checkbox adjacent to the CEG Address.
  Tax defaults the CEG Address sequence from that specified by the ATO for the Practice's ELS Approval code. To restore the ATO connection sequence, delete and reenter your Practice's ELS Approval code.

Related topics

ELS Internet Protocol configuration in Tax

CEG Addresses

How to request reports from the ATO

Back to Lodgment Setup

The Details tab provides for you to:

1. Request a Client List report,
   Request a Client Statistics report, or
   Request an Activity Statement Client List report.

2. Indicate that the Tax Agent wants to begin or cease receiving:
   Due Lodgment reports, or
   EFT Reconciliation Statements, or
   Activity Statement Lodgment (OL) report, or
   Activity Statement Summary report (OM).

3. Notify the ATO of a change to the Agent's primary ELS transmitter number.

Primary Transmitter Number

Some ELS Tax Agents may currently have multiple ELS registration numbers. One of those numbers must be nominated as the Primary Transmitter Number. Where there is only one Transmitter number, the Primary Transmitter Number ceases to have relevance and if the user attempts to enter the default number, a screen warning will be displayed.

Where multiple registration numbers occur in a Practice, the latest nominated date of registration for users lodging electronically will be classified as the Primary Transmitter number.

Changing the nominated Primary Transmitter number can only be performed using the Form RR.

The Primary Transmitter number nominated is where all unsolicited reports will be sent.

Business Rules

To nominate an ELS primary transmitter number, the Agent must be the original primary transmitter and subsequently, if that Agent no longer wishes to be the primary transmitter, another must be nominated.

To change the unsolicited report status, the agent must be the primary transmitter.

The agent cannot request more than one type of Client List using Form RR.

All requests for reports must be sent to the correct Gateway and the same request must not be sent twice. Therefore, if the normal Gateway is, say, Brisbane, ONLY request the report from that Gateway. Failure to do this will result in a V456.

An agent cannot request a client list if a previous request has not been processed.

Requests for reports received after close of business will be processed on the following business day.

Form RR must be sent as a production transmission similar to other forms lodged through ELS.

An agent with multiple ELS transmitter numbers must first nominate another transmitter number via the Form RR before requesting Branch Office Staff to de-register the original primary transmitter number.

Report Selection

One solicited and one unsolicited report type may be included in the same transmission. The reporting options are grouped as:

• Type of solicited Report and Type of Client List

• Type of unsolicited Report and Receive Unsolicited Reports?

Type of Solicited Report

Select from:

• Client List Report

• Client Statistics Report and

• Activity Statement Client List.

For the solicited report requested you need to select the type of client list:

• Current Year Lodged: For a report of all returns lodged in the current year to date.

• Current Year Not Lodged: For a report of all returns not yet lodged in the current year.

• Lodged/Not Lodged/Not Necessary: For a report of all lodged and unlodged returns in the current year.

Type of Unsolicited Report

Unsolicited reports are those prepared on a regular basis by the ATO. Once you request to receive a type of unsolicited report you will continue to receive them on a regular basis until you request to stop receiving the reports, refer to Receive Unsolicited Reports? below.

The unsolicited reports offered are:

• Due Lodgment Report: The Due Lodgment Report is normally prepared twice per tax year by the ATO, to report all returns that are due for lodgment.

• EFT Reconciliation Statement: This is a statement verifying all payments made to taxpayers via EFT.

• Activity Statement Lodgment Report (OL): This report is produced after the end of the month by the ATO.

• Activity Statement Summary Report (OM)
  This report is produced mid-month by the ATO.

Select YES to begin receiving the unsolicited report selected on this Agent Request Form. The reports will be received when the ATO has them prepared.

Select NO stop the transmission of regular ATO reports.

Select NO Selection to close this index without choosing Yes or NO.

Wide Reports

To print the wide ATO reports you will need to define a landscape Page Setup using: Utilities > Practice Default Options > Return Print Setup. Refer to Return Print Setup customised for the user.

Currently the wide reports include the Client List Report and the Activity Statement Lodgment Report (OL).

Related topics

Reports received from the ATO

How to request reports from the ATO

Back to Security for ELS Agent

To access the Tax Agent Request Form screen for the Practice:

1. Click Utilities > Lodgment setup.

2. Open the Security tab and click Agent Request Form.

3. Choose your reporting options on the Agent Report Request Form (RR).

4. Click Output so that the Form RR will be included in your next transmission to the ATO.

How to access the Tax Agent Request Form screen for an Agent:

1. Click Maintenance > Agent > Properties.

2. Open the Security tab and click Agent request form.

3. Choose your reporting options on the Agent Report Request Form (RR).

4. Click Output so that the Form RR will be included in your next transmission to the ATO.

Lodging a Form RR

After selecting Output the next time you log on to the ATO your Agent Request will be lodged.

Tax Agent Report Request forms are output to a separate folder prior to lodgment as they must be lodged separately from other form types. This is to avoid rejection of the Form RR and any other forms that might otherwise be included in the transmission.

Accessing Downloaded Reports

When the reports requested in the Form RR have been prepared by the ATO they are downloaded automatically during subsequent transmission sessions along with any other reports (solicited or unsolicited) awaiting collection.

Reports downloaded from the ATO are accessed from the ELS Reports Index. For information on accessing these reports refer to ATO Reports  and Reports received from the ATO.

There is a new Wide Reports Option to allow you to specify a landscape Page Setup for printing the ATO Activity Statements. This option is accessible from Utilities > Practice Defaults > Return print setup. Refer to Return Print Setup customised for the user.

For a description of the data entry to complete the report options refer to Tax Agent Request Form .

Related topics

Agents

Back to Security for ELS Agent

Primary and Secondary CEG Addresses and the sequence in which they are used is set by the ATO.

Tax defaults the ATO specified CEG Address sequence based on the Practice's ELS approval code. ELS IP attempts to connect to secondary CEGs automatically where it cannot connect to the Primary CEG.

Practices are able to alter the order in which ELS IP tries to connect to the secondary CEG by selecting a number between '1' to '4' in the Use in this order checkbox adjacent to each IP Address.

Should you wish to reset the connection sequence to that specified by the ATO, simply delete, and then re-enter the Practice's ELS Approval code.

CEG Addresses used for Processing Returns

Connection to the secondary CEG Address

Automatic re-connection to a secondary CEG occurs where there is an outstanding Validation report waiting to be collected.

If Tax does not have a matching validation report for a transmission made to a secondary CEG a message is displayed when the user tries to reconnect to their primary CEG.

Clicking OK launches a 'Retrieve only' connection to the secondary CEG where the outstanding validation report should be waiting for collection. Once ELS IP has checked the secondary CEG for the outstanding validation report, the prepared transmission is made to the Primary CEG.

How to setup an unattended ELS transmission in Tax

1. Click Utilities > Lodgment Setup > Security Tab.

2. Untick the Current time checkbox.

3. Enter the Connection time (HH:MM, 24 hour format) at which you require Tax to initiate a connection to the ATO.

4. Click OK.

Back to ELS Internet Protocol configuration in Tax

There is only one Diagnostics tab for the practice. It is accessed by selecting Utilities > Lodgment setup > Diagnostics tab.

The selections on the Diagnostics tab are used to print, save to file or display on screen the:

• Communications log of your last ELS transmission

• IPELS.ini file

The buttons on this tab are:

• Print for Agent Ref No.: If this is the default agent for the practice then the print will include all agents who lodge using the practice defaults for ELS. You may select another authorised agent.

• View/Print Comms Log: Useful for analysing problems with ELS Transmissions.

• View/Print IPELS.ini: Used to print the IPELS.ini file. It contains the settings that are required for a successful transmission via an IP connection. These settings should not be changed without express instructions from support.

• Send as email: This checkbox allows you to send the Comms.log or the .ini files as an email attachment:

1. Tick Send as email attachment 

2. Click View/Print comms.log or View/Print IPELS.ini.

3. Preview the file on screen and click Close.

4. Your default e-mail client opens with the file attached.

Back to Lodgment Setup

This tab is used to store all the agent's connection details for ELS lodgment.

• Telstra Dial IP Connection

• Dial Up Internet Connection, or

• Existing permanent Connection (LAN or Broadband connection).

Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client (Cisco AnyConnect) is an alternative to Cisco Systems VPN Client (VPN) to allow connection to the ATO.

The method of connection to the ATO depends on your version of Windows. Clients running:

• Windows 7 or earlier should continue to use VPN.

• Windows 8 or later, who find difficulty connecting with VPN, are able to install and use Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client (Cisco AnyConnect).

It is important that you direct your enquiries regarding Cisco AnyConnect to the ATO.

For further ATO information about Cisco AnyConnect, refer to the following ATO ELS internet protocol networks document.

Installing Cisco AnyConnect

To install Cisco AnyConnect on a workstation:

1. Navigate to the folder:

• (AE/Series 6 & 8) Sol64\setup\AnyConnect\Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility VPN Client v3.1.04072

• (AO) AOSQL\Tax\setup\AnyConnect\Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility VPN Client v3.1.04072

2. Double-click the setup.exe.

3. Follow the prompts to install with all modules selected as standard.

4. Your computer needs to be rebooted before Cisco AnyConnect can be used.

When you start your computer Cisco AnyConnect will start automatically.

When Tax attempts to establish a connection to the ATO, it will first attempt to start Cisco AnyConnect. If Cisco AnyConnect is already running ELS lodgment will stall.

It is simple to overcome this apparent problem by preventing Cisco AnyConnect from starting automatically when you start your computer.

1. Clients using Windows 8 or later should:

1. Open the Task Manager.

2. Select the Startup tab.

3. Right click on Cisco AnyConnect User Interface and select Disable.

4. Reboot your computer for the change to take effect.

5. Clients using Windows 7 or earlier who have chosen to install Cisco AnyConnect should:

1. Click the Start button.

2. In the Search programs and files field type msconfig.exe.

The

window opens:

1. Select the Startup tab.

2. Deselect the Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client checkbox.

3. Click Apply.

4. Reboot your computer for the change to take effect.

For further information about lodging with Cisco AnyConnect, refer to Electronic Lodgment of returns

Related topics

Connection

Connection tab settings

VPN device set-up

ELS IP connection settings

• Connection Mode: This field is used to select either Automatic or Manual mode to connect to the ATO. Manual mode can only be used to change the DIS password.

• Telstra IP Connection: Select this button if you wish to connect to the ATO using the Telstra IP network. You will also need to type in the name of the Windows Dial Up Networking connection you created to connect to the Telstra IP Network.

• Dial Up Internet Connection: Select this button if you wish to use a dial up connection with an ISP (Internet Service Provider), such as BigPond, Ozemail, or Pacific Internet.

You will also need to type in the name of the Windows Dial Up Networking connection you created to connect to your ISP. The VPN Client is required for this method of transmission and cannot be disabled.

• Existing permanent Connection (LAN or Broadband connection): Select this button if your practice has a permanent Internet connection. For example Cable or ASDL.

• Special Conditions:

• Tick the Special Condition checkbox if you are required to use UDP (rather than TCP/IP) to connect to the ATO. If you do not select this option when using UDP, you will not be able to connect to the ATO concentrator due to firewall restrictions on the PC.
  Ticking this checkbox will ensure that the correct ATO configuration (pcf) files are made using UDP. Refer to the following table for more information.

   

  If you are using...	Then...
  XP firewall on a LAN or Dial Up connection	Tick the Special Condition checkbox and no further action will be required.
  Microsoft Small Business Server	Click the Special Condition checkbox Configure your firewall settings to use UDP. Refer to Broadband Connections from a PC with a firewall for more information.
  TCP/IP, but unable to connect	Select Special Condition and then attempt a UPD connection. If you are still unable to connect, contact the Tax Agent Info Line on 13 72 86 Fast Key Code 35 for assistance.
  a hardware VPN client	Do not tick this box unless you have purchased a hardware VPN device.

Related topics

Connection

Connection tab settings

VPN device set-upELS IP connection settings

To set up your lodgment connection to use a hardware VPN device:

1. Click Utilities > Lodgment setup.

2. Select the Connection tab.

3. Select the I am using a hardware VPN device checkbox.

4. Click OK to save the changes.

Notes:

• VPN device connectivity is not currently available but is expected to be some time during June 2015.

• There is no need to change you lodgment method if it currently works.

• Due to the diverse nature of available hardware and network infrastructure, the ATO advises that tax agents implementing a VPN device are expected to provide all hardware, firmware and configuration support for the VPN device. Testing has been done using the Cisco ASA5505 model.

Related topics

Connection

Connection tab settings

VPN device set-up

ELS IP connection settings

1. Click Utilities > ELS Lodgment > Connection Tab.

2. Ensure Connection mode is set to Automatic.

3. Select each link as required:

• The Telstra Dial IP Network to transmit returns to the ATO.

• A Dial Up Internet connection to transmit returns to the ATO.

• Your existing permanent Internet connection (Broadband) to transmit returns to the ATO, select Existing permanent Connection (LAN or Broadband connection).

• Tick the Special Condition checkbox as required.

Related topics

Connection

Connection tab settings

VPN device set-up

ELS IP connection settings

Broadband Connections from a PC with a firewall

Lodgment Setup

This tab is used to manage the various passwords required by the ATO for ELS IP lodgments.

View the following MYOB training video that explains how easy Managing ELS or DIS Passwords can be: <div><a><iframe width="640" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/rgWwdxhiiXk?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></a></div>

The fields in this tab are:

• ATO DIS Password: Because of the additional passwords involved in an ELS IP transmission to the ATO, Tax automatically maintains the DIS password for you. It is hoped that this will minimise (perhaps eliminate) occurrences of D01 and D03 errors.

• Date Last Changed: This is the date that the DIS Password was last successfully changed at the CEG.

• ATO Code 1: This field displays the ATO Code 1 (VPN User ID) used by the ATO to identify the operator as a valid user.

• ATO Code 2: This field is used to enter the ATO Code 2 (VPN password) used by the VPN Client software.

• Telstra IP Network ID: This field is only available if you have selected 'Telstra Dial IP Connection' in the Connection tab.

• Telstra IP Network Password: This field is only available if you have selected 'Telstra Dial IP Connection' in the Connection tab.

• ISP User ID: This field is only available if you have selected 'Dial Up Internet Connection' in the Connection tab.

• ISP Password: This field is only available if you have selected 'Dial Up Internet Connection' in the Connection tab.

1. Click Utilities > Lodgment Setup > Passwords Tab.

2. Use the information you receive from the ATO (and your ISP if applicable) for:

• Telstra Dial IP
  Enter Telstra Dial IP user ID.
  Enter the Telstra Dial IP Password (8 character password provided by the ATO).

• Dial up Internet
  Enter ATO Code 2.
  Enter your ISP user ID and password.

• Permanent Internet connection
  Enter ATO Code 2 only.

3. Click OK.

DIS passwords:

• Must be 12 to 16 characters long and contain at least one alpha and one numeric character.

• Must not be the same as ATO Code 2.

• Your practice may have attached agents who lodge returns under the same ELS User ID as the main agent for the practice. Where this is the case, any change to the DIS password for the main agent will be reflected in the Lodgment Setup for all attached agents lodging under the same ID.

Related topics

CEG Addresses

DIS Password Maintenance

Back to ELS Passwords

The DIS password is maintained in Tax automatically and without user intervention. Your password will be changed automatically just before it is about to expire, that is roughly every 30 days.

Should you keep a record of your DIS password?

Yes. It is strongly recommended that you maintain a record or log of your DIS passwords. This is particularly beneficial where you have had to restore your tax ledger from a back-up and your password may have changed between then and now.

View the following MYOB training video that explains how easy Managing ELS or DIS Passwords can be: <div><a><iframe width="640" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/rgWwdxhiiXk?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></a></div>

Do you use MORE THAN ONE brand of software to lodge returns electronically with the ATO?

It is imperative that when your DIS Password changes during an ELS session with the ATO, that the new password be recorded in every software package you use to lodge electronically with the ATO.

The ATO maintains your DIS password for you and informs you, ONCE ONLY, for each change to your DIS password. This means that it is your responsibility to reflect every change to your DIS password in every software package that you use to lodge with the ATO.

For example, if you use BGL Superannuation to lodge Fund returns, the DIS Password may change during lodgment. Subsequently, before attempting to lodge any return using MYOB Tax you must change the DIS Password in MYOB Tax so that it matches the new DIS password resulting from the BGL lodgment session exactly. Equally, a change to your DIS Password that occurs while lodging a return through MYOB Tax must be recorded exactly in BGL Superannuation.

What do you do when you have your new DIS password?

The DIS password functionality simplifies the process of synchronising a new password after an automatic change during a lodgment session either:

• in your main Tax Ledger, or

• in another software package that you use to lodge with the ATO.

How to synchronise your DIS password for all your MYOB Tax Ledgers:

1. Open Tax.

2. Click Utilities > Lodgment Setup > Password Tab.

3. Click Edit and enter the new password in the DIS Password field.

4. Click OK.

You have now recorded your new DIS Password for all your Tax ledgers. MYOB recommends you update your manual password log also.

If you receive a D01 message:

This is likely to be because a software package other than MYOB Tax has lodged with the ATO and an automatic DIS Password update has been received. You must record the new password in Tax before you can lodge returns from Tax.

How to record the new password:

1. Open Tax.

2. Click Utilities > Lodgment Setup > Password Tab.

3. Click Edit and enter the password used, or received as an automatic update, on the last successful connection to the ATO from the software that last achieved the successful connection. (You will find this in the log of DIS passwords that you are maintaining).

4. Click OK.

5. Process a Connect to the ATO.