The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) are further strengthening the security around the client-to-agent linking process to the online services portal in order to step up the fight against increasingly sophisticated attempts of fraud and identity theft.
As of the 13 November 2023, the ATO has introduced new requirements for the way businesses and associated entities allow accountants and bookkeepers to engage on their behalf with the ATO. Entities with an Australian Business Number (ABN) will be required to complete a process to nominate their Tax and BAS agents before the agents will be able to access their online services, namely Integrated client and Income tax accounts.
Entities that the new nomination process applies to are;
- Companies including strata title bodies
- Partnerships
- Trusts
- Not-for-profits
- Joint ventures
- Co-operatives
- Self-managed superannuation funds (SMSFs)
- APRA-regulated superannuation funds
*Sole traders are specifically excluded from the new agent nomination process
This nomination process will be required when;
- The entity engages a new tax of BAS agent or payroll service provider
- Provide additional authorisations to existing tax and BAS agents
It is important to note existing client-tax agent/BAS agent links will not be affected.
The nomination process is a 5 step process:
Step 1 – Setup your digital ID (myGovID)
Step 2 – Link your myGovID to your ABN via RAM
Step 3 – Log in to online services for business
Step 4 – Nominate your authorised agent in Online service for business
Step 5 – Let your agent know you have nominated them.
The nominated agent won’t receive an automated system notification notifying their nomination. Each nomination expires after 28 days. An extension of a further 28 days can be applied by the nominating entity.
Further information regarding the nomination process can be found on the ATO website
If you have any questions please reach out to your local Accru advisor.
