XPM - Generate new client record via ATO Pre-fill Data
In many accounting software platforms, the established workflow for onboarding a new individual client and preparing their Income Tax Return leverages ATO pre-fill data efficiently.
This process typically involves:
- Adding the new client to the ATO portal.
- Downloading the pre-fill XML file directly from the ATO portal.
- Saving the downloaded XML file to a local directory.
- Commencing a new ITR within the software by importing this ATO pre-fill file. This crucial step often includes the ability to search for the new client by surname, create a necessary client reference and automatically populate the return with all available ATO data, thereby significantly streamlining the tax return preparation process.
My primary objective is to advocate for a similarly streamlined methodology within Xero Practice Manager. XPM does not currently offer a direct method to create a new client return from an ATO pre-fill file without first creating a client record.
I propose that XPM incorporate functionality that enables the direct creation of a new client return from an ATO pre-fill file, thereby eliminating the current process for manual client data entry prior to the generation and population of the tax return.
This enhancement would significantly improve efficiency and user experience.

Thanks for submitting your idea on Xero Product Idea's, Lina. We appreciate you taking your time to share changes that would be most meaningful to you.
Can see how this would help you work more efficiently. It's not something we have direct plans around right now, but we'll start to get a view of the interest from the community through your idea here.
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