ChatGPT and similar AI tools can save Australian accountants significant time on routine writing, research, and communication tasks. The key is knowing how to prompt them effectively.

These 50 prompts are written for Australian accounting contexts. Always review AI outputs before using them — verify any legislative or regulatory references against primary sources, and never send AI-generated client communications without reading them first.

A note on client data: Do not enter real client names, tax file numbers, ABNs, or financial figures into general-purpose AI tools unless you have reviewed the tool's data handling policies and are satisfied they meet your obligations under the Privacy Act 1988. Use placeholders like [CLIENT NAME] and [AMOUNT] when drafting.

Client Communication Prompts

1. "Draft a professional email to [CLIENT NAME] explaining that their tax return has been lodged with the ATO and they can expect their refund within [TIMEFRAME]. Keep the tone warm and clear."

2. "Write a follow-up email to a client who has not yet provided their end-of-year documents. The tone should be friendly but firm, and mention that the deadline is [DATE]."

3. "Draft an email to a new client welcoming them to our practice and outlining what they need to provide for their first tax return appointment."

4. "Write a plain-English explanation of what a Division 7A loan is and why it matters for a small business owner who is not familiar with accounting terminology."

5. "Draft a letter to a client explaining that the ATO has issued a notice of amended assessment and what steps they should take next."

6. "Write a short email to a client explaining the difference between a tax deduction and a tax offset in plain language."

7. "Draft a reminder email to clients about the upcoming 31 October individual tax return lodgement deadline."

8. "Write a professional response to a client who is unhappy with their tax outcome, acknowledging their concern and explaining the factors that affected their result."

9. "Draft an email to a business client explaining what a BAS is, when it is due, and what information they need to provide."

10. "Write a short explainer for a client on the difference between an employee and an independent contractor for tax purposes in Australia."

Tax Research and Explanation Prompts

11. "Summarise the main conditions for claiming a home office deduction under the ATO's fixed rate method. Note: I will verify this against the ATO website before using it."

12. "Explain the instant asset write-off rules for small businesses in Australia as they currently stand. I will cross-check this against the ATO's website."

13. "What are the main differences between the small business entity concessions available to businesses with an aggregated turnover under $10 million versus those under $2 million? I will verify this against ATO guidance."

14. "Explain the work-related expense substantiation rules for claims over $300 in plain language suitable for a client briefing."

15. "Summarise the key superannuation guarantee obligations for employers in Australia. I will verify current rates and thresholds against the ATO website."

16. "Explain what a personal services income (PSI) determination means and how it affects a sole trader's ability to claim deductions."

17. "Describe the main conditions under which a trust distribution to a beneficiary may be subject to the trustee beneficiary reporting rules."

18. "Explain the difference between a capital gain and ordinary income in the context of selling a business asset."

19. "What is the general anti-avoidance provision in Part IVA of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936, and when might it apply? I will verify this against primary sources."

20. "Summarise the main GST registration requirements for Australian businesses."

BAS and GST Prompts

21. "Draft a plain-English explanation of what GST-free and input-taxed supplies are, with examples relevant to a small business client."

22. "Write a short guide for a new small business client on how to keep records for BAS purposes."

23. "Explain the difference between cash and accruals accounting for GST purposes in plain language."

24. "Draft talking points for a client meeting about the GST implications of selling a going concern."

25. "Write a brief explanation of the margin scheme for GST on property sales, suitable for a client who has not encountered it before."

Financial Reporting and Analysis Prompts

26. "Write a short narrative summary of a business that has seen revenue increase by [X]% but profit decline. What are the most common reasons for this pattern? I will verify against the actual financials."

27. "Draft an executive summary for a set of financial statements for a small retail business. Use placeholders for all figures."

28. "Write a plain-English explanation of what a negative working capital position means for a business and what questions an accountant might ask."

29. "Draft a list of questions I should ask a new business client during their first financial review meeting."

30. "Write a brief explanation of the difference between profit and cash flow for a client who is confused about why their profitable business has a cash shortage."

Practice Management and Internal Prompts

31. "Draft a checklist of documents a sole trader needs to provide for their annual tax return."

32. "Write a template engagement letter for a new individual tax return client. Use placeholders for all specific details."

33. "Draft a set of frequently asked questions (FAQs) for our practice website about individual tax returns."

34. "Write a short internal guide for new staff on how to handle a client who calls to ask about the status of their tax return."

35. "Draft a template for a client meeting agenda for an annual financial review."

36. "Write a professional out-of-office email for the tax season period."

37. "Draft a short guide for clients on how to use our client portal to upload documents."

38. "Write a template for a file note summarising a client phone call. Include placeholders for date, client name, issues discussed, and actions agreed."

39. "Draft a short email to a client explaining that we need their written authority before we can speak to the ATO on their behalf."

40. "Write a template for a proposal letter to a prospective business client outlining our services. Use placeholders for all specific details."

Superannuation Prompts

41. "Explain the concessional contributions cap and what happens if a client exceeds it. I will verify current figures against the ATO website."

42. "Write a plain-English explanation of the bring-forward rule for non-concessional contributions."

43. "Draft talking points for a client meeting about the tax treatment of superannuation death benefits."

44. "Explain what a self-managed superannuation fund (SMSF) annual return involves in plain language for a client considering setting one up."

45. "Write a short explainer on the work test for superannuation contributions for clients aged 67 to 74."

Payroll and Employment Prompts

46. "Draft a plain-English explanation of Single Touch Payroll (STP) for a small business client who has just taken on their first employee."

47. "Write a short guide for a client on their obligations when an employee leaves, including payment summaries and final pay."

48. "Explain the difference between ordinary time earnings and total remuneration for superannuation guarantee calculation purposes."

49. "Draft a checklist of payroll compliance obligations for a small business with fewer than 20 employees."

50. "Write a plain-English explanation of what fringe benefits tax (FBT) is and which common benefits are subject to it."

Tips for Getting Better Results

• Be specific about the audience. Adding "explain this to a client who is not familiar with accounting" produces simpler language than a generic prompt.
• Ask for a specific format. "Write this as a bullet-point checklist" or "write this as a short paragraph" gives more predictable results.
• Always verify. Treat AI output as a first draft, not a final answer. Legislative and regulatory information must be checked against primary sources — the ATO website, legislation.gov.au, or your professional body's guidance.
• Use placeholders for client data. Never enter real TFNs, ABNs, or financial figures into general-purpose AI tools without reviewing the tool's data handling policies.