H&R Block calls for SBR investment
Following the myTax upgrade to allow sole traders and contractors to use the system to file their own tax returns, H&R Block has called on the ATO to boost its investment in SBR.
By Staff Reporter
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22 April 2016
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9 minute read
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Speaking to AccountantsDaily, Mark Chapman, H&R Block's director of tax communications, has called on the tax office to now focus on SBR and getting the implementation of this new system right.
Despite the potential impacts of the updated myTax system on H&R Block’s own business, Mr Chapman said he welcomed the innovation.
“In one sense, this is a sensible evolution of the existing MyTax service, and one which was expected. The old etax service, which sole traders and others have had to use for many years, is now well past its sell-by date and it makes sense to retire it and have one holistic solution for self-lodgers.”
However, many tax practitioners will be given pause for thought, according to Mr Chapman, with uncertainty around the ATOs future plans for SBR.
“Also coming this year is the introduction of new SBR software for tax practitioners, which will alter the way practitioners transmit data to the ATO. There is still plenty of uncertainty around how – or whether – that will work and tax practitioners will be hoping that the extensive investment no doubt put into MyTax is matched by a similar commitment to get SBR right," he added.
“The tax profession has been on the back foot for some time now as the ATO invests in services direct to taxpayers and it's to be hoped that SBR is introduced smoothly, without delays or hits to productivity, to minimise the prospect of clients switching to MyTax."
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