Two electronic service address (ESA) providers will merge from the start of October requiring SMSFs using either group for SuperStream rollover purposes to update their details with the ATO.
The regulator informed the SMSF community ClickSuper ESA would merge with Wrkr ESA and from 1 October the ClickSuper ESA will be decommissioned and no longer accept messages.
“SMSFs that currently use the ClickSuper ESA will need to update their ESA with us. If your SMSF doesn’t have an active ESA recorded with the ATO, it will be unable to process contributions and rollovers electronically,” the ATO warned.
“Trustees will also need to advise their employer of the ESA change so the SMSF can continue to receive employer contributions.”
The ATO added ESA details can be updated via its online services for business portal, by a registered agent or over the phone and SMSFs had no other options but to use an active ESA for SuperStream when conducting a rollover.
“With the temporary rollover relief ending on 30 June [which allowed the use of paper forms], any rollovers made without using an active ESA after this date will result in a contravention of the super laws that your SMSF auditor will be expected to report to us.”
SMSFs have been required to make rollovers electronically since 1 October 2021 using an ESA and in April this year the ATO stated if a fund still had problems obtaining an ESA after 30 June and made a rollover without using one, the fund auditor would have to report this as a contravention of the superannuation laws.
“Your auditor should provide details in the auditor contravention report as to why you experienced issues getting an ESA and we will take this into account when considering the imposition of any penalties,” the ATO said.
At present, there are 10 ESA messaging providers available to any SMSF and a further four providers restricted to offering services to only existing SMSF clients.
