Sending your statement¶

Once your Activity Statement — the form you use to report amounts like GST and wage tax — is filled in and checked, the last step is to send it to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). This is called lodging. When you lodge from accounting software, the software sends the completed statement securely to the ATO for you, and you get confirmation that it was received.

Lodging this way is fast. There's no paper form to post and no waiting to find out it arrived — the ATO replies to say your statement is in.

In one line

Lodging sends your completed statement securely to the ATO and gives you a receipt — and it's a separate step from paying anything you owe.

Why this matters¶

Sending a tax form can feel like the nervous part. When you lodge electronically, you don't have to wonder whether it got there — you receive a confirmation. Knowing that sending and paying are two different steps also saves confusion: lodging your statement is not the same as handing over money.

What you will learn¶

That lodging sends your completed statement to the ATO securely
That you receive a receipt or confirmation that it was received
That sending your statement is a separate step from paying

Understanding the concept¶

When you hit lodge, your software packages up your finished statement and sends it to the ATO over a secure connection. You don't email it or post it — the software handles the delivery.

The ATO explains that when you lodge online, it confirms receipt. A confirmation (or receipt) is shown, carrying a unique receipt ID you can print or save. That receipt is your proof that the statement was lodged, and it's worth keeping.

There's one more thing to understand: sending is not paying. Lodging your statement tells the ATO what you owe — or what it owes you. Actually paying any amount owing is a separate action, with its own due date and its own ways to pay. You can lodge your statement now and pay separately. So receiving your lodgment receipt does not mean money has changed hands; it means your figures are in.

For accountants & bookkeepers

Electronic lodgment returns a confirmation with a unique receipt identifier once the ATO has received and accepted the statement. Keep the receipt as evidence of lodgment. Payment is a distinct obligation with its own due date and payment methods — lodging the statement and settling the balance are handled separately.

Example¶

Priya runs a busy cafe and lodges her quarterly statement straight from her accounting software. After checking her figures, she clicks lodge. Her software sends the statement securely to the ATO, and within moments a confirmation appears with a receipt ID. Priya saves it as a PDF for her records — proof it's done. She still owes GST for the quarter, but that's a separate step: she notes the payment due date and arranges to pay closer to it. Lodging took a minute; paying is a job for another day.

Common mistakes¶

Thinking lodging the statement also pays the amount owing — paying is a separate step.
Not keeping the receipt or confirmation — it's your proof the statement was lodged.
Assuming nothing was received because there's no paper trail — the receipt is your record.

How this works in myaccountant¶

In the app — when you're ready, myaccountant securely lodges your completed Activity Statement to the ATO for you. When the ATO confirms it was received, myaccountant shows you the confirmation so you have a record that it's done. Paying any amount owing is handled separately, at its own due date.

Key points¶

Lodging sends your completed statement securely to the ATO.
Your software delivers it — no paper form to post.
You receive a confirmation, with a receipt ID you can keep.
The receipt is your proof the statement was lodged.
Lodging electronically is fast and confirms it arrived.
Sending your statement is a separate step from paying what you owe.

Learn next¶

General information only — not tax, super or financial advice.

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