On 9 August 2022, the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) updated guidance on the Local and Master file for 2022 along with instructions. The guidance applies to reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2021.

The local file must be electronically lodged in the approved form (an XML file –generated in accordance with an ATO developed XML schema). The local file is part of a combined form, which also contains the master file. The local file may be lodged separately or together with the master file.

The local file can only be lodged electronically, through one of the following:

Lodgments via email or paper are not accepted.