Extension of time arrangements for 2009 returns

EOT requirements

Filing targets

There are four sets of targets for 2009:

• standard
• E-File
• late balance date, and
• negotiated personal targets.

Each set of targets requires 100% of clients' returns to be filed by 31 March 2010. Section 37(5) of the TAA doesn't allow the Commissioner to grant EOT beyond 31 March 2010 for any returns. However, some returns won't be filed by 31 March, and the agreement sets out how those returns will be treated. There are four target dates during the year.

Target date

Interim target dates are provided as a guideline to assist in meeting 100% return filing by 31 March. They’re negotiable and won’t be monitored unless you fail to achieve at least 85% of returns filed by 31 March - at which time your agent account manager will begin to monitor them.

Standard targets

If you're not eligible for late balance date or E-File tax agent targets or haven't negotiated personal targets you automatically qualify for standard targets.

The standard targets are:

• 40% of clients' returns filed by 11 September 2009
• 60% of clients' returns filed by 13 November 2009
• 80% of clients' returns filed by 12 February 2010
• 100% of clients' returns filed by 31 March 2010.

E-File tax agent targets

The E-File tax agent targets apply if you E-File 80% of your clients' returns for the year. For the purposes of assessing your eligibility for these targets you must be set up correctly for E-File, and not have filed paper returns for more than 25% of your clients at the target date in question. If you expect significant increases in your client base, please talk to your agent account manager or Large Enterprises account manager about negotiating to have E-File tax agent targets.

For further information on E-File please refer to the "Working with Inland Revenue" section.

The E-File tax agent targets are:

• 37.5% of clients' returns filed by 11 September 2009
• 57.5% of clients' returns filed by 13 November 2009
• 78.5% of clients' returns filed by 12 February 2010
• 100% of clients' returns filed by 31 March 2010.

Late balance date targets

If more than 25% of your clients who are required to file tax returns have balance dates of 1 April or later, late balance date targets will apply.

The late balance date targets are:

• 20% of clients' returns filed by 11 September 2009
• 50% of clients' returns filed by 13 November 2009
• 75% of clients' returns filed by 12 February 2010
• 100% of clients' returns filed by 31 March 2010.

Negotiated personal targets - genuine reasons

If you failed to achieve at least 85% of returns filed as at 31 March 2009 you will have received a caution and your agent account manager will be supervising your EOT arrangement for the 1 April 2009 to 31 March 2010 return filing year. Supervision may include negotiating interim targets that better suit your business and will be agreed with your agent account manager based on your business plan to file 100% by 31 March 2010.

There may be other situations when there are genuine reasons why you won't meet a target percentage. Sometimes this is because of your client list profile and the complexity of the work undertaken, or because a significant number of returns are dependent on late information. The authority to negotiate filing targets lies with our agent account managers and Large Enterprises account managers.

Other reasons may include business or personal problems, such as illness, death of a partner, takeover of a new business with a poor filing performance, or computer system failure.

We can't negotiate the final target of 100%. As noted above, we're constrained by section 37(5) of the TAA in this respect.

Problems with individual clients' returns should be addressed through the "D status" or "L letter" systems (see Return filing - lack of information) and not through interim targets.

 

 

Date published: 07 Jul 2009

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