Electronic Lodgment for Businesses

The Australian Taxation Office's Electronic Commerce Interface (ECI) Client software is an application that allows businesses with an Australian Business Number (ABN) to communicate with the Tax Office electronically. Some examples of the functions you can perform are:

• collecting documents/files from the Tax Office electronically
• sending documents/files to the Tax Office electronically
• checking your documents/files for errors before sending
• send secure messages to the Tax Office via the Internet (Superannuation only).

To use the ECI application you need a digital certificate. Apply for a free certificate at www.ato.gov.au/onlineservices
This allows for secure transmission of data to and from the Tax Office. Functions are grouped into smaller applications that are located within the ECI. There are five applications available

• Business
  Allows general businesses access to the most commonly used functions:
  • Activity Statements (the sub menu link to the In Tray, Out Tray and Sent Items used for the download and lodgment of activity statements
  • PAYG Summary Reports (functions used for the validation and lodgment of bulk data files created in commercially available HR software)
  • TFN Declaration Reports (functions used for the validation and lodgment of bulk data files created in commercially available HR software)
• Super Funds
  Allows access to the three functions listed above and allows you to send and receive Superannuation Surcharge and other general superannuation files to the Tax Office and to receive certain superannuation files from the Tax Office. You are also able to search the Lost Member Register and receive files from that search.
  
• Investment Bodies
  Allows access to the three functions listed above plus validation and lodgment of Australian Investment Income Report (AIIR) bulk files.
  
• Excise
  Links to the In Tray, Out Tray and Sent Items which can be used for the creation of Excise documents or the download and lodgment of activity statements.
  
• BAS Service Provider
  Allows access to the activity statement functions plus the BAS Service Provider Client List and Document list.
  

How does ECI work?

The ECI provides digitally signed and encrypted exchange of documents and messages between the Tax Office and clients. Once validated, documents may be transmitted online through the ECI to the Tax Office. Only documents free of error will be transmitted online.

If you have any problems with the ECI Client software, infrastructure or operations, please contact Technical Help on 1300 139 373 or via e-mail technical.help@ato.gov.au
 
Queries regarding BAS, changes to e-mail address, ECI registration or Certificate holder information should be directed to the Business Tax Infoline on 13 28 66.

(Source ATO)