In 2016, the Practitioner Lodgment Service (PLS) replaced the Electronic Lodgment Service (ELS) for lodging tax returns. Since ELS is no longer available, the SBR service now transmits the traditional ELS payload using the SBR transmission mechanism.
Note: The following ELS form types can be lodged via SBR:
Form I - Individual
Form P - Partnership
Form T - Trust
Form C - Company
Form F - Funds
Form MS - Self-Managed Super Fund
FBT Return
Create the ELS file for returns in HandiTax 2014 and prior
Important: Prior year ELS via SBR lodgments must be lodged in the current year of HandiTax.
Log in to the HandiTax year required, then Tag the return for lodgment.
Press F5 to open the lodgment window, then click Create ELS.
When the status shows as Ready to lodge, you've created the ELS file for lodgment. Click Cancel to exit this window.
Note: If the prior ELS years of HandiTax require dummy ELS details to be entered to enable lodgment, see How to lodge prior year Tax returns by ELS, as details are no longer supplied by ATO.
Create multiple-year ELS return files for lodgment
If you have multiple ELS returns to lodge:
After creating the ELS file in, for example, HandiTax 2012, where you also have a 2013 ELS return to lodge, repeat the Create the ELS file steps from above.
During this additional attempt, select Skip, then Ok.
Repeat until you have created all ELS returns.
Lodge ELS returns via the current year of HandiTax
Open the current year of HandiTax.
Press F5 to open the lodgment window.
Select the Prior Year ELS via SBR option, then click Prior ELS.
Identify the ELS file(s) you created from the prior year tax program and choose either: Lodge - the files you wish to transmit, Delete - the files you do not want to transmit, or Skip - the files you want to transmit later.
Once you have made your selection(s), click Ok.
Enter the credential password, then click Ok.
Note: If you cannot select Lodge, Delete or Skip, go to the Options menu, then select ELS Communications. Click the Security tab. If the Test Lodgment option is checked, uncheck it and create the ELS return file again.
Create multiple-year ELS return files for lodgment
If you have multiple ELS returns to lodge:
When you have created and cancelled the lodgment process in, for example, 2012 HandiTax, and you also have a 2013 return to lodge,
Repeat the Create the ELS file steps above.
During this attempt, select Skip, then Ok.
Repeat until you have created the latest return year, then log into the latest version of HandiTax.
The SBR validation report in the current year will display no forms, as it cannot identify which forms have been submitted. You will need to manually update the tax return lodgment status in each prior year.