Self Service Portal

The ACT Revenue Office has a Self Service Portal (SSP) to make it easier for our payroll tax customers to transact online. Please refer to the User Guide to start lodging via the SSP. Clients can gain real time access to information and conduct a range of functions including:

SSP FAQ's

How do I get access to start using the SSP?

The SSP is now used by the majority of ACT Payroll Tax clients and will eventually be the primary method available to lodge monthly and annual returns. The Smartforms previously used to lodge the payroll tax returns are being phased out in favour of the SSP.

If you are still lodging via Smartforms we will be contacting you to transition your account to the SSP. You will be provided with a range of user guides and support information, which are available here.

Will all my lodgements and service requests be visible on my SSP account immediately?

Most of your lodgements and Tax Registration Updates will be visible on the SSP straight away, for instance, if you are updating your contact information or lodging a monthly return.

More complex submissions and Service Requests may require review and approval from our office and will not be reflected on your SSP account immediately. Most submissions and changes pending approval will be visible on the SSP within a few days. Historical SmartForm lodgements will not be visible on SSP.

My organisation's name is registered incorrectly in the SSP, how do I update my details?

Your organisation's details can be updated once you have completed the registration process. Simply submit the relevant Tax Registration Update accessible from the main menu in the portal.

You can also update your details in the portal such as name, contact person and bank account details for refunds by choosing the Tax Registration Update accessible from the main menu in the portal.

To update the legal entity name, a Certificate of Name Change must be submitted via the website using the Contact us form.

How do I submit a return in the Self Service Portal?

• To submit a monthly or annual return through the Self Service Portal, select ‘Return Lodgements’ from the main menu, then ‘Payroll Tax’.
• You will need to lodge the oldest outstanding return first. If you wish to submit a return for a different period, select ‘I want to submit a more recent period’.
• Once you have selected the return period you wish to submit, click ‘Save and Next’.
• A new screen will open where you should enter the taxable wages for the return period.
• All monthly lodgements, including ones with nil wages, must be submitted before the Annual payroll tax return (June lodgement) can be lodged.
• For more detailed instructions on how to submit a return through the Self Service Portal, see Lodge a Payroll Tax Return.

How do I find a return I have already submitted?

• To view payroll tax returns previously submitted through the Self Service Portal, select ‘Activity History’ from the main menu. A list of all returns submitted through the Self Service Portal will be shown and a PDF will be available for download.

How do I amend a return?

• To amend a payroll tax return submitted through the Self Service Portal, select ‘Return History’ from the main menu.
• Then click ‘Amend’ for the required return.
• For more detailed instructions on how to amend a return through the Self Service Portal, see Amend a Return.

How can I create or change a payroll tax group?

• To create a new payroll tax group in the Self Service Portal, select ‘Group Management’ from the main menu and then click ‘Create Group’.
• To change an existing payroll tax group structure, select ‘Group Management’ from the main menu. The current group structure will be shown. To amend the group structure, select ‘Amend Group’.
• If your group has a Designated Group Employer (DGE), only the DGE can edit the group structure.
• For more detailed instructions on how to create or change a payroll tax group through the Self Service Portal, see Group Management.

How do I update the registered business details?

• Under the main menu heading ‘Tax Registration Update’, you can update the business address, trading name, contact details and bank account for refunds.
• For more detailed instructions on how to update the registered business details through the Self Service Portal, see Update Business Details.

How do I update bank account details?

• You can update your bank account details for refunds by selecting ‘Tax Registration Update’ from the main menu, then ‘Update Refund Details’.
• For more detailed instructions on how to update the registered business details through the Self Service Portal, see Update Bank Details.

How do I request a refund through the SSP?

• First ensure you have provided updated bank account details for the refund. You can do this by selecting ‘Tax Registration Update’ from the main menu, then ‘Update Refund Details’.
• Then to request a refund, select ‘Service Requests’ from the main menu, and then ‘Generic Request’.

How can I set up a direct debit?

• To set up a direct debit please contact us via the website using the Contact us form. Please state your BSB, account name and account number and the maximum debit amount. You must also provide a date the direct debit will cease.

How do I cancel a payroll tax account?

• Under the main menu heading ‘Service Requests’, you can request the cancellation of your payroll tax account by selecting ‘Tax Registration Cancellation’ and completing the form.

Digital Identity and myGovID

What is Digital Identity?

• Digital Identity is a safe, secure and convenient way for Australians and Australian businesses to prove who they are online.
• Digital Identity allows you to verify your identity, much like a digital version of a 100-point ID check.
• Once you have set up your Digital Identity, you can reuse it whenever you are asked to prove who you are to access a range of online services − currently government services.

What is myGovID and how do I get set up?

• myGovID is the Australian Government’s Digital Identity app.
• myGovID is an app you download to your smart device to prove who you are when accessing government online services.
• Set up your myGovID in three easy steps. Download the myGovID app, enter your details and verify at least two Australian identity documents to achieve a Standard identity strength.
• For further information on how to set up your myGovID, visit at www.mygovid.gov.au/setup

How do I lodge returns in the SSP on behalf of my employer?

• Before lodging returns in the SSP on behalf of an employer you need to have a Digital Identity and be authorised to act on behalf of a business in Relationship Authorisation Manager (RAM).
• RAM is an authorisation service that allows you to act on behalf of a business online when linked with your Digital Identity, like myGovID.
• How you link depends on whether you’re a:
  • principal authority – person responsible for the business or entity
  • authorised user or administrator - someone who acts on behalf of a business or entity.

  How do I authorise employees to lodge returns in the SSP?

  • You can authorise your employees to act on behalf of your business and lodge returns in the SSP through RAM.
  • Before you authorise others to act on behalf of the business, check they have set up their Digital Identity.
  • When you authorise someone, an authorisation email and code will be sent to them. They have seven days to accept the authorisation before the code expires.
  • For more information, visit info.authorisationmanager.gov.au/set-up-authorisations

  As a tax agent, how do I get authorised to act on behalf of my client in the SSP?

  • To use the ACT Revenue Office’s SSP on behalf of a client, your client’s principal authority/authorised administrator will need to authorise your myGovID using RAM.
  • You need a Digital Identity, like myGovID, to log in to RAM and accept an authorisation request to work on behalf of a business online.
  • Once you receive an authorisation request, you have seven days to accept or decline the authorisation request before the code expires.
  • You cannot access government online services or update business details if you have not been authorised in RAM by a principal authority or authorisation administration.
  • If you’re not sure who the principal authority is, this is the person responsible for the business or a business associate, for example a sole trader, trustee, director or public officer.
  • For more information, visit info.authorisationmanager.gov.au/authorised-users-and-administrators

  Where can I go if I receive a suspicious myGovID email or SMS?

  • If you have received a suspicious myGovID email or SMS you can contact the ATO by phone on 1800 008 540 or
    visit www.ato.gov.au/scams.

  Updates

  The ACT Revenue Office has recently implemented improvements to the return history, return lodgement and account balances sections of the Self Service Portal. Each change is explained in further detail below.

  Return history page

  When payroll tax returns are submitted, the balance displayed on the PDF lodgement summary will show an overall account balance as at the date of the submission, including a breakdown of all amounts owing and up to date interest.

  Return Lodgements

  Upon submission of your annual payroll tax return, the reconciliation process for the financial year will automatically occur. This means all credits and debits from monthly obligations in the financial year will automatically move to the June (Annual Reconciliation) obligation after the annual form has been lodged. The changes will be reflected in the summary information displayed on the Home screen and in more detail on the Return History screen.

  Account Balances

  Account interest (where applicable) is now automatically re-calculated each time you log into the Self Service Portal, ensuring that the account balance displayed is always up to date.

  Support

  A dedicated SSP Support Team has been set up to take your calls from 9am to 5pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday and from 10.30am on Wednesday. For non-urgent enquires or to provide feedback it is recommended that you send an email.

  You can contact the support team via the telephone number and email below, for myGovID support visit the below website.

  Feedback

  We value your feedback and would welcome your comments and suggestions which can be submitted via the Contact Us page.

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