The prefill functionality in HandiTax uses the xml format for tax returns from 2012 -2017.
For prior years 2007-2011, use the CSV format.
Access HandiSoft (HandiTax): How do I prefill a return in HandiTax for 2007-2011?
The ATO allows you to request a pre-filling report containing your clients' income details from the Online Services for Agents at https://onlineservices.ato.gov.au/onlineservices/
The report can be viewed online or downloaded to your computer. HandiTax allows you to import this information from the ATO's Pre-Fill reports into your client's tax return.
Set the directory where your prefill reports need to be saved to:
Go to Options, Tax Form Options.
In the prefill report section set the default path to the same folder that you will select when you request the prefill report from the ATO.
Click on the ellipsis button and use file explorer to navigate to this folder. This will set the folder where HandiTax imports the prefill reports from once it is downloaded from the ATO.
NOTE: HandiTax will use the default directory of \HSoft\Doc\Portal for storing the prefill reports. You can change this path to any other folder if required.
Importing the prefill form into HandiTax
Request the prefill form in XML format from the ATO and save it into the directory specified above.
The next time you select a client that has a pre-fill form with a matching TFN, you will be prompted to import the report.
In the Prefill Report window, you can choose the sections to import by selecting the checkboxes.
Click OK and you will be given the option to View the report before posting.
Click Yes to view the report.
After viewing the report you will be given the option to Post the entries.
Data imported from the prefill report will Display a "P" icon next to each item in the main form.
NOTE: To enable HandiTax to import the prefill form it needs to be an XML Format. Once the XML file is processed by HandiTax it will rename the *.xml file to *.xmr in the prefill folder. This ensures that the file will not be imported again when the client is selected in the future. The prefill Report Details window also indicates which sections include data imported last year, and where the descriptions are now present due to the roll over from the prior year to this year.