ato-mcp
This MCP server provides plain-English access to Australian Taxation Office (ATO) and Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) statistics and registers via 7 tools and 14 curated datasets.
Tools:
search_datasets— fuzzy-search the catalog by keyword (e.g. "postcode tax", "charity register").list_curated— enumerate all curated dataset IDs.describe_dataset— inspect filterable dimensions, valid filter values, measures, units, and source URLs before querying.get_data— query datasets with filters, measure selection, period ranges, and output format (records, series, CSV).latest— retrieve the most recent observations per measure.top_n— return the top or bottom N rows by a measure (e.g. top corporate taxpayers).stats— compute aggregate statistics (count, sum, mean, median, min, max, stddev), optionally grouped by a dimension.
Curated datasets include: personal tax by postcode, median income by postcode over time, company tax by industry, corporate tax transparency, superannuation contributions by age, ACNC charity register, monthly GST collections, occupation income, SMSF funds, small business benchmarks, HELP debt, tax gaps, R&D tax incentive, and ACNC financials.
Example use cases: look up median taxable income by postcode; find tax paid by a named corporation; rank industries by income; filter charities by state or size; analyze super contributions by age and income; retrieve monthly GST collections; compare salary by occupation and sex; investigate R&D tax incentive claims.
Key features: auto-updating data with a 7-day cache TTL and force refresh; cross-source location filters accept state codes, full names, ISO codes, and postcodes; hosted access at ausdata.io is available for cross-source queries, webhooks, and a REST API.
Click on "Deploy Server".
Wait a few minutes for the server to deploy. Once ready, it will show a "Started" state.
In the chat, type
@followed by the MCP server name and your instructions, e.g., "@ato-mcpWhat's the median taxable income in postcode 2000?"
That's it! The server will respond to your query, and you can continue using it as needed.
Here is a step-by-step guide with screenshots.
ato-mcp
mcp-name: io.ausdata/ato-mcp
MCP server for Australian Taxation Office statistics. Plain-English access to personal tax by postcode, company tax by industry, corporate tax transparency for every $100M+ entity, super contributions by age, salary by occupation, monthly GST collections, and the live ACNC charity register — all from a single uvx command.
Hosted access? For cross-source queries, webhooks, an always-on REST API, and a uniform response envelope across all 9 sources, see ausdata.io — free tier available (500 calls/mo, no card).
"What's the median taxable income in postcode 2000?"
"How much tax did BHP pay last year?"
"Which industries have the highest gross income?"
"How many Large charities are there in NSW?"
"What's the average super contribution for under-30s in the top tax bracket?"Sister to abs-mcp (Australian Bureau of Statistics), rba-mcp (Reserve Bank of Australia), and au-weather-mcp (Australian weather via Open-Meteo + BOM). The four together cover the macro / regulator / tax / climate layer of Australian official data.
Install
# Run on demand via uvx (recommended)
uvx --upgrade ato-mcp
# Or install permanently
pip install ato-mcpClaude Desktop
Add to claude_desktop_config.json:
{
"mcpServers": {
"ato": { "command": "uvx", "args": ["--upgrade", "ato-mcp"] }
}
}Why
--upgrade?uvx ato-mcp(without the flag) uses whatever wheel is cached and never adopts new PyPI releases on its own.--upgrademakes uvx check PyPI on each launch and pull a newer release if one exists. To verify which version is currently serving you, look at theserver_versionfield on anyDataResponse.
Claude Code / Cursor
claude mcp add ato --command uvx --args -- --upgrade ato-mcpRelated MCP server: ausdata-mcp
Auto-updating data
Beyond the wheel-level --upgrade, the server has a second auto-update path inside the data layer: when ATO publishes Taxation Statistics 2023-24 next year, ato-mcp resolves the new resource URL via data.gov.au's CKAN API at fetch time and uses the freshest match. Hard-coded YAML URLs are the safe fallback if discovery fails. You do not need to wait for a new wheel release to get new yearly data — just delete ~/.ato-mcp/cache.db to force a refresh, or wait for the 7-day TTL to expire.
What it exposes
Seven tools, all plain-English in, structured out:
Tool | Purpose |
| Fuzzy-search the curated catalog by keyword |
| List a dataset's filterable dimensions and returnable measures |
| Query with |
| Last observation per measure (shortcut) |
| Rank rows by a measure, return top (or bottom) N |
| Aggregate stats (count, sum, mean, median, min, max, stddev) over a measure — optional |
| Enumerate the curated dataset IDs |
Every response is the same shape — dataset_id, dataset_name, query, period, unit, row_count, records, ato_url, attribution, server_version — across every curated dataset.
Curated datasets (14)
ID | What it is | Period | Coverage |
| Personal tax stats by taxable status × state × SA4 × postcode (~5,200 postcodes) | 2022-23 | 80+ measures |
| Median & average taxable income by postcode, every year | 2003-04 → 2022-23 | 21 yearly measures |
| Company tax by ANZSIC broad + fine industry | 2022-23 | 216 industry cells |
| Entity-level tax disclosure for $100M+ corporations (name, ABN, income, tax) | 2023-24 | ~4,200 entities |
| Super contributions by age × sex × taxable income bracket | 2022-23 | Employer/personal/other |
| Live register of every Australian charity (ABN, size, jurisdiction, beneficiaries) | Current (weekly) | ~60,000 entities |
| Monthly GST / WET / LCT collections (gross GST, input tax credits, net GST, etc.) | 2020-07 → 2024-06 | 10 metrics × 48 months |
| Median/average income (taxable, salary/wage, total) by ANZSCO occupation × sex | 2022-23 | ~1,200 jobs × 7 measures |
| SMSF sector size — total funds, total members, total gross assets (trillion-$ sector) | 2019-20 → 2024-25 | 3 metrics × 6 years |
| Industry total-expense + COGS ratio bands by turnover bracket (~100 industries) | 2023-24 | 12 measures × 100 industries |
| HECS/HELP outstanding debt, indexation, compulsory + voluntary repayments annual | 2005-06 → 2024-25 | 8 measures × 20 years |
| ATO's tax gap estimates — how much tax is being missed each year by tax type | 2016-17 onward | 5 measures × 4 tax types × ~7 years |
| R&D Tax Incentive transparency — every entity's R&D claim (name, ABN, $) | 2022-23 | ~13,000 entities |
| Per-charity financials from the ACNC Annual Information Statement (revenue, expenses, staff) | 2023 | ~60,000 charities × 23 measures |
Adding a new dataset is a single YAML drop into src/ato_mcp/data/curated/ — see CONTRIBUTING.md.
Example queries (paste into Claude)
Cross-source compatibility. All location filters accept canonical state codes (
"NSW"), full names ("New South Wales"), case-insensitive variants ("nsw"), ISO 3166-2 ("AU-NSW"), and 4-digit postcodes ("2000"→ NSW) on thestatefilter. Powered byaus-identity— the same input shape works across abs-mcp, ato-mcp, apra-mcp, aihw-mcp, and asic-mcp.
Property-tech: "For postcodes 2000, 2008, 2026, and 2031 in NSW, give me the median taxable income across every available year so I can compare trajectories."
Corporate tax: "Get the total income, taxable income, and tax payable for BHP IRON ORE (JIMBLEBAR) PTY LTD."
Industry analysis: "Which fine industry codes under 'C. Manufacturing' have the highest total income, and how many companies are in each?"
Charity/non-profit tech: "Find every charity in NSW with size 'Large' that operates_in_VIC = Y."
Retirement planning: "What's the average personal super contribution for males aged 30-39 in the $120,001–$180,000 bracket?"
Each prompt resolves to one get_data call. The response includes the source URL so the agent can cite it back.
Architecture
Same shape as the sister packages — client → cache → parsing → shaping → server:
client.pywrapshttpxwith a SQLite-backed disk cache (per-resource TTL).parsing.pyreads XLSX (viaopenpyxl/pandas) and CSV (viapandas). Header rows + sheet names live in the curated YAML so future format quirks are a YAML edit, not a code change.curated.pyloads dataset specs fromdata/curated/*.yaml— each one declares its dimensions, measures, dimension value enums, source/download URLs, format, and parse layout.shaping.pytransforms the parsed DataFrame intoDataResponse(records / series / csv).server.pyis the FastMCP entrypoint — seven tools, full input validation with helpful "Try X" hints on error.
Cache lives under ~/.ato-mcp/cache.db. Data on data.gov.au refreshes once a year (ATO) or weekly (ACNC), and the TTLs are tuned for that.
Attribution
Data sourced from the Australian Taxation Office and the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission, both via data.gov.au. Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Australia (CC BY 3.0 AU). The MCP server is MIT-licensed; the data carries the upstream CC-BY 3.0 AU licence, which is echoed in every response's attribution field.
Sister MCPs (Australian Public Data portfolio)
Want all 9 sources behind one REST API? The hosted gateway at ausdata.io adds cross-source joins, full history, webhooks, and HMAC-signed responses on top of these MCPs — free tier (500 calls/mo, no card).
abs-mcp — Australian Bureau of Statistics (CPI, unemployment, ERP, building approvals)
rba-mcp — Reserve Bank of Australia (cash rate, lending stats, exchange rates)
ato-mcp — this one. Tax, super, and charity registers.
apra-mcp — Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (banking, insurance, super)
aihw-mcp — Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
asic-mcp — Australian Securities and Investments Commission (company registers)
aemo-mcp — Australian Energy Market Operator (NEM dispatch, spot prices, generation)
au-weather-mcp — Open-Meteo (Bureau of Meteorology aggregator)
wgea-mcp — Workplace Gender Equality Agency
aus-identity — Postcode / state / ABN normalisation helper used by all sisters
The portfolio is designed to compose: an agent can ask for "unemployment + cash rate + median income + climate" in postcode 2000 and one shot fans out across multiple MCPs.
Roadmap (next iterations)
v0.2:
GST_MONTHLYtransposed time series; multi-yearCORP_TRANSPARENCY;ATO_OCCUPATION(salary by occupation code)v0.3: hosted version with x402 per-call paywall; programmatic SEO pages
v0.4: listing on MCPay + Apify; paid tier for high-volume agent users
CHANGELOG tracks every release.
Development
git clone https://github.com/Bigred97/ato-mcp.git
cd ato-mcp
uv venv
uv pip install -e ".[dev]"
pytest # 53 unit tests, ~7s
pytest -m live # 3 integration tests against data.gov.au, ~3sIssues, ideas, and contributions welcome: github.com/Bigred97/ato-mcp/issues.
Available Tools
7 toolsdescribe_datasetA
Describe a dataset's filterable dimensions, returnable measures, units, and source.
Use this before calling get_data on a new dataset — it tells you the valid filter keys ('state', 'postcode', 'industry'), the valid filter values ('nsw', 'vic'), the measure aliases ('median_taxable_income'), and the canonical source URL.
Returns: DatasetDetail with id, name, description, period_coverage, list of dimensions, list of measures (each with key, source_column, unit, description), and source_url + download_url.
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| dataset_id | Yes | Curated dataset ID. Use search_datasets() to discover or list_curated() to enumerate. Case-insensitive. |
Output Schema
| Name | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|
| id | Yes | |
| name | Yes | |
| measures | No | |
| dimensions | No | |
| is_curated | Yes | |
| source_url | Yes | |
| description | Yes | |
| download_url | No | |
| period_coverage | No | |
| update_frequency | No |
TDQS
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
No annotations provided, so description carries full burden. It describes the return value in detail (DatasetDetail with fields) and implies it is a read-only introspection. However, it doesn't explicitly state idempotency or lack of side effects, but the description is sufficient for this simple tool.
Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.
Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?
Description is concise: two paragraphs. First sentence states purpose, second gives usage guidance, third details return values. No unnecessary words, well-structured.
Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.
Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?
Given the simple one-parameter tool and existence of an output schema, the description is fairly complete. It explains the return fields (dimensions, measures, source_url, etc.) and usage context. Could mention safety but not necessary.
Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.
Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?
Schema coverage is 100% with examples and description. The description adds context by explaining that the parameter identifies a curated dataset and that the result helps inform subsequent get_data calls. This goes beyond the schema's basic description.
Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.
Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?
Clearly states 'Describe a dataset's filterable dimensions, returnable measures, units, and source.' Uses specific verb 'describe' and resource 'dataset', and distinguishes from siblings like 'get_data' by stating 'Use this before calling get_data on a new dataset'.
Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.
Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?
Explicitly tells when to use: 'Use this before calling get_data on a new dataset'. Also explains what it provides (valid filter keys, values, measure aliases, source URL). Doesn't explicitly state when not to use, but the guidance is clear.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
get_dataA
Query a curated ATO/ACNC dataset and return observations.
Examples: # Median taxable income in postcode 2000 (Sydney CBD), 2022-23 resp = await get_data( "IND_POSTCODE_MEDIAN", filters={"state": "nsw", "postcode": "2000"}, measures="median_taxable_income_2022_23", )
# All registered charities in NSW with size = "large"
resp = await get_data(
"ACNC_REGISTER",
filters={"state": "NSW", "charity_size": "Large"},
measures=["total_gross_income", "total_employees"],
)
# 500 ACNC charity financial records (huge dataset — cap to fit context)
resp = await get_data(
"ACNC_AIS_FINANCIALS",
filters={"state": "NSW"},
limit=500,
)
# 2023-24 corporate tax payable for entities with total income > $1B
resp = await get_data("CORP_TRANSPARENCY", filters={"income_year": "2023-24"})Returns:
DataResponse with records (or csv), unit, period bounds, row_count,
source URL, and CC-BY attribution. truncated_at is set when the
underlying slice was larger than limit.
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| limit | No | Optional cap on number of records returned. Useful for register-shaped datasets where a slice can still be very large (ACNC_AIS_FINANCIALS = ~50k charities × 16 measures = 800k+ records; ACNC_REGISTER = ~65k charities). Without a cap the response can blow an agent's context window. Truncated responses set DataResponse.truncated_at to the original row count. Default None = no cap (subject to the portfolio-wide 100k hard ceiling for pathological cases). | |
| format | No | Response shape. 'records' (default): flat list of observations. 'series': grouped by measure. 'csv': pandas CSV string in `csv` field. | records |
| filters | No | Dimension filters. Keys are plain-English aliases from the dataset's describe_dataset response. Values are matched against the source data; pass a list to OR across values. Examples: {'state': 'nsw'}, {'postcode': '2000'}, {'industry_broad': ['A', 'B']}. | |
| measures | No | Which measure(s) to return. Plain-English keys from describe_dataset. Omit to return all measures. | |
| dataset_id | Yes | Curated dataset ID. Use search_datasets() / list_curated(). | |
| end_period | No | Inclusive end period. Same format as start_period. | |
| start_period | No | Inclusive start period for transposed time-series datasets (GST_MONTHLY etc). Ignored for wide single-year tables. Format: 'YYYY' or 'YYYY-MM' or ATO FY 'YYYY-YY'. Bare int years like 2020 are coerced to '2020' automatically. |
Output Schema
| Name | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|
| csv | No | |
| unit | No | |
| query | No | |
| stale | No | |
| period | No | |
| source | No | |
| ato_url | Yes | Click-through URL for this dataset's source page. ato-mcp legacy name — prefer source_url (canonical) for new code. Both fields are populated identically. |
| records | No | |
| row_count | No | |
| dataset_id | Yes | |
| source_url | Yes | Canonical click-through URL. Same value as ato_url; both populated for backward compat. |
| attribution | No | |
| dataset_name | Yes | |
| retrieved_at | Yes | |
| stale_reason | No | |
| truncated_at | No | |
| server_version | No |
TDQS
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
No annotations are provided, so the description carries the full burden. It discloses that the tool returns a DataResponse with records/csv, unit, period bounds, row_count, source URL, and CC-BY attribution. It also mentions truncation behavior with 'truncated_at'. However, it does not address error handling, rate limits, or authentication requirements, which are minor gaps for a read-only query tool.
Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.
Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?
The description is well-structured with a clear purpose statement, multiple examples with comments, and a return value summary. It is front-loaded with the core purpose. While slightly lengthy, each section (examples, return description) earns its place without extraneous content.
Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.
Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?
Given 7 parameters, 100% schema coverage, and an output schema (mentioned in return description), the tool description is complete. It explains how to discover dataset IDs using 'search_datasets() / list_curated()', and describes the return structure. The examples cover common use cases (filtering, limiting, choosing format). Minor omission: no discussion of pagination or handling large responses beyond truncation.
Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.
Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?
Schema description coverage is 100%, so the schema already documents all 7 parameters well. The description adds value through examples that illustrate parameter usage (e.g., filters, measures, limit) but does not introduce new semantic information beyond the schema examples. Baseline 3 is appropriate as the description complements but does not exceed the schema's coverage.
Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.
Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?
The description explicitly states 'Query a curated ATO/ACNC dataset and return observations.' The verb 'Query' and resource 'curated dataset' are specific. Multiple examples demonstrate usage with different datasets and parameters, clearly distinguishing it from sibling tools like 'describe_dataset' (describes schema) and 'search_datasets' (finds datasets).
Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.
Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?
The description provides examples that imply usage scenarios (e.g., filtering by state, limiting records) but does not explicitly state when to use this tool versus alternatives. No exclusions or when-not-to-use guidance is given, leaving the agent to infer context from examples alone.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
latestA
Return the most recent observation(s) per measure for a dataset.
For transposed time-series tables (GST_MONTHLY etc.) this trims to the
most-recent period. For wide register-shaped tables (ACNC_REGISTER,
IND_POSTCODE etc.) it returns the same shape as get_data, capped at
limit rows. Truncated responses set DataResponse.truncated_at.
Examples: # Latest monthly net GST nationally resp = await latest("GST_MONTHLY", measures="net_gst")
# 50 charities (default cap) — narrow with filters to get specific ones
resp = await latest("ACNC_REGISTER", filters={"state": "nsw", "charity_size": "Large"})| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| limit | No | Maximum rows to return. Register-shaped datasets (ACNC_REGISTER ~65k charities, ACNC_AIS_FINANCIALS ~50k) would otherwise blow an agent's context window. Pass filters to narrow to one entity, or raise `limit` only if you need a bulk dump. Truncated responses set DataResponse.truncated_at to the original row count so agents can detect + surface it. Time-series datasets (GST_MONTHLY etc.) already trim to the latest period and are unaffected by this cap. | |
| filters | No | Same filter shape as get_data. Useful for narrowing to one entity. | |
| measures | No | Same as get_data. | |
| dataset_id | Yes | Curated dataset ID. |
Output Schema
| Name | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|
| csv | No | |
| unit | No | |
| query | No | |
| stale | No | |
| period | No | |
| source | No | |
| ato_url | Yes | Click-through URL for this dataset's source page. ato-mcp legacy name — prefer source_url (canonical) for new code. Both fields are populated identically. |
| records | No | |
| row_count | No | |
| dataset_id | Yes | |
| source_url | Yes | Canonical click-through URL. Same value as ato_url; both populated for backward compat. |
| attribution | No | |
| dataset_name | Yes | |
| retrieved_at | Yes | |
| stale_reason | No | |
| truncated_at | No | |
| server_version | No |
TDQS
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
With no annotations, the description fully carries the burden of transparency. It details behavior for two dataset types, mentions truncation via DataResponse.truncated_at, and explains the impact of the limit parameter. No contradictions occur.
Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.
Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?
The description is concise with two paragraphs and a code example. No unnecessary sentences; every line contributes meaning.
Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.
Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?
Given the tool's complexity (handling two dataset types) and the presence of output schema, the description is complete. It covers behavior, examples, and limit guidance sufficiently.
Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.
Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?
Schema coverage is 100%, so baseline is 3. The description adds value by explaining limit behavior per dataset type and truncation. References to get_data for filters and measures are adequate.
Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.
Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?
The description clearly states that the tool returns the most recent observation(s) per measure for a dataset. It distinguishes between transposed time-series tables and wide register-shaped tables, and provides concrete examples. This specificity differentiates it from siblings like get_data.
Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.
Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?
The description explains when to use the tool (for latest observations, especially for time-series) and contrasts behavior with get_data. However, it lacks explicit 'when not to use' statements or alternative tool referrals.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
list_curatedA
List every curated dataset ID in this version of ato-mcp.
These are the datasets where get_data accepts plain-English filter keys and returns aliased, well-typed measure columns. Each ID is documented via describe_dataset.
Returns: Sorted list of dataset IDs.
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
No parameters | |||
Output Schema
| Name | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|
| result | Yes |
TDQS
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
With no annotations provided, the description carries the full burden of behavioral transparency. It discloses that the tool returns a sorted list of dataset IDs and that each ID is documented via describe_dataset. However, it does not mention any potential side effects, authentication needs, or performance characteristics, but for a read-only listing operation, this is adequate.
Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.
Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?
The description is concise, consisting of four sentences. It front-loads the main purpose, then provides supplementary context, and ends with the return format. Every sentence adds value without redundancy.
Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.
Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?
Given the simple nature of the tool (no parameters, straightforward output), the description is complete. It explains the purpose, the meaning of 'curated', the documentation reference, and the return format (sorted list). The presence of an output schema fills in any additional details about the return structure.
Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.
Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?
The tool has no parameters, so the schema provides no details. The description adds meaning by explaining what 'curated' means (datasets that accept plain-English filter keys in get_data and return aliased, well-typed measure columns). This adds semantic value beyond the empty schema.
Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.
Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?
The description clearly states the tool's purpose: 'List every curated dataset ID in this version of ato-mcp.' It specifies the verb 'list', the resource 'curated dataset IDs', and the scope 'in this version'. Additionally, it distinguishes from sibling tools like search_datasets by explaining that these are the datasets where get_data accepts plain-English filter keys.
Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.
Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?
While the description does not explicitly say when not to use this tool, it provides implicit guidance by explaining that this tool lists datasets that support plain-English filter keys in get_data. This helps an agent decide when to use this tool versus search_datasets or other listing tools.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
search_datasetsA
Fuzzy-search the curated ATO/ACNC dataset catalog.
All datasets ship hand-curated in v0.1: personal tax by postcode, company tax by industry, corporate tax transparency, GST collections, super contributions by age, the ACNC charity register, and more.
Examples: # Find the dataset that gives tax stats by postcode results = await search_datasets("postcode tax") # → [{id: 'IND_POSTCODE', name: 'Individuals by Postcode', ...}]
# Discover what's available on charities
results = await search_datasets("charity")Returns: List of DatasetSummary (id, name, description, update_frequency, is_curated), ranked by relevance.
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| limit | No | Maximum number of results to return, ranked by relevance. | |
| query | Yes | Free-text search query. Matches against dataset IDs, names, descriptions, and curated search keywords. Case-insensitive. |
Output Schema
| Name | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|
| result | Yes |
TDQS
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
With no annotations, the description explains it is fuzzy-search, case-insensitive, matches against multiple fields, returns ranked results with specific fields. It does not cover edge cases (no results, errors) or performance, but is transparent enough for typical use.
Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.
Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?
The description is concise, front-loaded with the main purpose, followed by context, examples, and return type. Every sentence adds value, and the structure is easy to parse.
Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.
Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?
Given the presence of an output schema, the description covers the search behavior and return fields adequately. It could mention the default and maximum limit, but overall it provides enough context for an agent to use the tool correctly.
Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.
Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?
Schema coverage is 100%, so baseline is 3. The description repeats schema info (e.g., 'Free-text search query' and limits). It adds no new semantic meaning beyond what is already in the input schema.
Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.
Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?
The description clearly states the tool does 'Fuzzy-search the curated ATO/ACNC dataset catalog', which is a specific verb and resource. It distinguishes itself from siblings like describe_dataset or get_data by focusing on search and discovery. The examples further clarify the purpose.
Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.
Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?
The description provides relevant examples and mentions the catalog contents, but does not explicitly state when to use this tool vs alternatives (e.g., list_curated may be for listing without a query). The guidance is adequate but lacks exclusion criteria.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
statsA
Aggregate statistics (count, sum, mean, median, min, max, stddev) for one measure across all rows matching filters. Optionally grouped.
Without group_by: returns one stats payload over all matching rows.
With group_by: returns per-group stats — much more powerful for
"distribution X by Y" queries that would otherwise require N filtered
calls.
Examples: # Single aggregate over NSW postcodes stats("IND_POSTCODE_MEDIAN", "median_taxable_income_2022_23", filters={"state": "nsw"}) # → {statistics: {count: 587, mean: 55017, median: 53484, ...}}
# Stats grouped by state — one call instead of 8
stats("IND_POSTCODE_MEDIAN", "median_taxable_income_2022_23",
group_by="state")
# → {by: "state", groups: [
# {key: "ACT", statistics: {...}},
# {key: "NSW", statistics: {...}},
# ...
# ]}
# Tax payable per income year across the corporate sector
stats("CORP_TRANSPARENCY", "tax_payable", group_by="income_year")Returns:
Without group_by: dict with statistics field.
With group_by: dict with by and groups fields; each group
carries key, statistics, plus the same envelope
metadata (dataset_id, unit, attribution, etc.).
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| filters | No | Optional dimension filters — same shape as get_data. | |
| measure | Yes | The measure key to aggregate over. Use describe_dataset() to see available measures. | |
| group_by | No | Optional dimension key to partition rows by. When set, returns per-group statistics instead of a single aggregate. Caps at 200 groups to keep responses bounded — exceeding the cap returns the first 200 groups by row order and sets a `groups_truncated` flag in the response. | |
| dataset_id | Yes | Curated dataset ID. Use search_datasets() / list_curated(). |
Output Schema
| Name | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|
No output parameters | ||
TDQS
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
Despite no annotations, the description discloses key behaviors: return shape (with/without group_by), grouping cap at 200 groups with truncation flag, and metadata in response. It does not explicitly state idempotency or read-only nature, but the operation is clearly a read. Slight missing on side effects or auth needs, but adequate.
Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.
Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?
The description is well-structured with an intro, bulleted examples, and a return section. It is fairly long but every part adds value. Slight redundancy in the example formatting, but overall good balance of detail and conciseness.
Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.
Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?
Given the number of parameters and existence of output schema, the description covers main behavior, return types, and grouping semantics. It lacks error handling or edge cases like empty results, but these are minor. The output schema likely fills gaps. Adequate for effective use.
Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.
Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?
Schema coverage is 100% with good descriptions. The description adds value beyond schema by providing concrete usage examples, clarifying group_by behavior and return structure. It explains what each parameter does in context, such as the meaning of group_by and the 'same envelope metadata' in returns.
Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.
Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?
The description clearly states 'Aggregate statistics (count, sum, mean, median, min, max, stddev) for one measure across all rows matching filters' with a specific verb and resource. It distinguishes itself from siblings like get_data (raw data) and top_n (top values) by focusing on aggregation and grouping.
Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.
Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?
The description provides explicit guidance on when to use group_by vs without, includes examples showing single aggregate vs per-group statistics, and mentions that group_by is 'much more powerful for distribution X by Y queries that would otherwise require N filtered calls.' It implicitly tells when not to use it (when raw data is needed) via sibling context.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
top_nA
Return the N rows with the largest (or smallest) value of a measure.
This is the most common agent workflow: "show me the top 10 X by Y". Without this tool, an agent would call get_data, receive the full table, and then sort/slice locally — wasting tokens and turns. top_n does the rank server-side and returns only the requested rows.
Examples: # Top 10 corporate taxpayers in 2023-24 top_n("CORP_TRANSPARENCY", "tax_payable", n=10)
# 20 NSW postcodes with the highest median income (2022-23)
top_n("IND_POSTCODE_MEDIAN", "median_taxable_income_2022_23",
filters={"state": "nsw"}, n=20)
# 5 lowest-income postcodes in QLD
top_n("IND_POSTCODE_MEDIAN", "median_taxable_income_2022_23",
filters={"state": "qld"}, n=5, direction="bottom")Returns:
DataResponse with at most n records, sorted by measure value
in the requested direction. Other fields (period, unit, attribution)
match a regular get_data call.
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| n | No | How many top (or bottom) rows to return. | |
| filters | No | Optional dimension filters, same shape as get_data. | |
| measure | Yes | Plain-English measure key to rank by. Use describe_dataset() to see available measures. | |
| direction | No | 'top' returns the N rows with the LARGEST measure values (highest tax payable, biggest population, etc.). 'bottom' returns the SMALLEST. | top |
| dataset_id | Yes | Curated dataset ID. Use search_datasets() / list_curated(). |
Output Schema
| Name | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|
| csv | No | |
| unit | No | |
| query | No | |
| stale | No | |
| period | No | |
| source | No | |
| ato_url | Yes | Click-through URL for this dataset's source page. ato-mcp legacy name — prefer source_url (canonical) for new code. Both fields are populated identically. |
| records | No | |
| row_count | No | |
| dataset_id | Yes | |
| source_url | Yes | Canonical click-through URL. Same value as ato_url; both populated for backward compat. |
| attribution | No | |
| dataset_name | Yes | |
| retrieved_at | Yes | |
| stale_reason | No | |
| truncated_at | No | |
| server_version | No |
TDQS
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
With no annotations, the description fully discloses behavior: server-side ranking, returning only requested rows, sorted output, and return structure matching get_data. No contradictions.
Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.
Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?
The description is well-structured with an intro, rationale, examples, and return explanation. Every sentence adds necessary context without redundancy.
Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.
Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?
Given 100% schema coverage and an output schema, the description covers all necessary aspects: purpose, usage, parameters, examples, and return format. No gaps.
Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.
Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?
Schema coverage is 100%, baseline 3. The description adds value by explaining 'plain-English measure key', direction semantics, and providing detailed examples for each parameter.
Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.
Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?
The description clearly states it returns the top/bottom N rows by a measure, with explicit examples. It distinguishes itself from get_data by noting it avoids wasteful token usage.
Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.
Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?
The description explicitly states when to use (most common agent workflow) and contrasts with get_data as an alternative. However, it does not explicitly list when not to use this tool.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
Tool Schema Changelog
Recent tool additions, removals, and schema changes observed during successful MCP inspections.
7 tool updates
v0.8.20- Added
describe_dataset - Added
get_data - Added
latest - Added
list_curated - Added
search_datasets - Added
stats - Added
top_n
7 tool updates
v0.8.17- Removed
describe_dataset - Removed
get_data - Removed
latest - Removed
list_curated - Removed
search_datasets - Removed
stats - Removed
top_n
1 tool update
v0.2.0- Added
stats
1 tool update
- Added
top_n
5 tool updates
v0.1.0- First observed
describe_dataset - First observed
get_data - First observed
latest - First observed
list_curated - First observed
search_datasets
TDQS
Scored across 7 tools
Each tool has a clear role: discovery, metadata, raw querying, latest observations, top-N ranking, and aggregation. The only minor overlap is between get_data and latest for register-shaped datasets, but the descriptions and examples sufficiently distinguish them.
Most tools follow a verb_noun pattern (list_curated, search_datasets, describe_dataset, get_data). The exceptions are latest, top_n, and stats, which are terse noun/adjective-style names, creating a slight inconsistency but not confusion.
Seven tools is well-scoped for a data query server: discovery, schema description, retrieval, and common analytical shortcuts are each represented. No redundant tools and no sign of unnecessary bulk.
The tool surface covers the full workflow: finding datasets, understanding their schemas, pulling data, getting recent values, ranking, and aggregating. There are no obvious dead ends for common analytical queries on curated ATO/ACNC data.
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