Streamline Your ATO Agent-Client Linking Process
Designed for Australian Accounting Firms: Simplify how you handle ATO agent-client linking with our tailored, easy-to-follow guide.
The Client Agent Linking guide automatically changes to the clients settings when they logged in.
Simple for clients
Are you struggling with the ATO's agent linking process? We know it can be complex and time-consuming. That's why we've created a straightforward guide to make your life easier.
Clients will easily walk through and follow the guide with all the right details and links at their finger tips. The Seamlss guide automatically populates to show the data required to Agent Link to your firm.
Say goodbye to confusion with tracking and reminders
Send email reminders and keep track of linked entities, allowing your admin team to handle and manage the process seamlessly.
No more confusion as your team can see exactly where things are at.
Linking complete with notifications
Change your firm's client communication with Seamlss' intuitive notification system. Effortlessly stay informed of client progress in real-time, ensuring a seamless and interactive ATO agent linking process. Your admin team will love it!
Watch the whole Agent Linking Webinar (34mins)
Explore the essentials of agent-client linking in our concise webinar. Uncover client onboarding strategies, custom features for Australian users, and efficient communication techniques. Enhance your firm's efficiency by watching this valuable resource tailored for accounting and bookkeeping professionals.
Try it out yourself with a free Seamlss trial:
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on the ATO Agent-Client Linking
The Agent-Client Linking process, introduced by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO), aims to ensure a secure and streamlined interaction between tax agents and businesses, facilitating accurate tax-related information exchange.
This process is designed for businesses and their Tax and BAS agents. It necessitates individuals to have a myGovID to participate.
Seamlss provides a step-by-step guide during client onboarding to assist clients link entities and tax agents. We’ve designed it to show the right data at the right time. This includes your Tax Agent details, Clients Entity Details, guiding pictures and a notification system.
Entities are required to nominate their agent via the new agent nomination feature in Online services for business before the agent can add them to their client list.
Initially, agents have 30 days to accept the nomination.
Agents won’t receive automated notifications upon client nomination; hence, they should instruct their clients to notify them once the nomination is completed. However Seamlss has a process for clients to notify the firm built into the app.
Agents can generate a report in Online services for agents to view real-time nominations made by their clients.
The rollout is phased, eventually encompassing all entity types with an ABN, excluding sole traders, from 13 November 2023.
Seamlss aids communication through its customisable email feature post-onboarding, ensuring clients are well-informed about the new process.
Seamlss’s support team is available to provide guidance on resolving challenges encountered during the linking process.
Further Reading
Explore our guide: ATO client agent linking: the complete guide for firms.
Ready to simplify the Agent-Client Linking process? Discover how Seamlss can assist you. Get started with Seamlss.
Download a free PDF guide for your firm
Say goodbye to confusing steps, our PDF for clients guide is clear, straightforward and free to use if you're not using Seamlss.
Why Seamlss - FAQ
Seamlss is client onboarding, identity verification and AML software for Australian accounting and bookkeeping firms. Through one link, clients give you their details and documents, verify their identity and e-sign your engagement letter. Their details then sync to Xero Practice Manager.
Accounting and bookkeeping firms in Australia, and in particular the owners and partners who carry the risk of taking on a client and sign the engagement letter.
Instead of chasing documents by email and rekeying details from PDF forms and spreadsheets, you send the client one request. They enter their own details, upload documents, complete the identity check and sign the engagement letter. Your team reviews the result.
Yes. AML checks are built into onboarding: identity verification, PEP and sanctions screening, and beneficial ownership, with adverse media screening inside the risk assessment tool. Clients answer questionnaires that feed the risk assessment. Your firm still makes the determination, and Seamlss records it. AML tools are available on paid plans.
Two factor authentication for firms and clients, and a client has to sign in before a request opens. Seamlss has an ISO 27001 aligned security posture and is working towards ISO 27001 audit readiness using Vanta; it is not certified. ID documents are deleted automatically after 14 days, with a log of the check kept for your firm. More on the security page.
Seamlss verifies a client’s identity using the source document option or a DVS check through Stripe Identity, and keeps a log of the check. Your firm still decides whether a check meets its obligations.
Yes. Add your own terms and conditions, and each client e-signs the engagement letter as part of onboarding.
A current web browser, such as Chrome, Firefox, Edge or Safari, and an internet connection. There is nothing to install.
Start the 14 day free trial. No credit card is required, and the in-app help takes you through setup. AML tools are available on paid plans.
The help centre has a guide for each part of Seamlss, and you can reach the team through the contact page.
Each year Seamlss sends clients a request to confirm their details and e-sign the new engagement letter, and shows you which clients have been contacted and when. You can send re-engagements in bulk, including clients imported from Xero Practice Manager.
Client details collected in Seamlss sync to Xero Practice Manager, and jobs created in Seamlss land in XPM. Your team does not rekey them. Through Zapier, a request can start from another tool, such as a booking calendar.
Yes. Import clients in bulk, including from an XPM export, and run identity checks across them together rather than one at a time. The in-app help shows how.