The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has implemented client-to-agent linking to strengthen the security of their online services and protect against fraud and identity theft.
From 13 November 2023, all types of entities with an Australian Business Number (ABN), excluding sole traders, will need to nominate their agent before the agent can add them to their client list. This change is being made to ensure that all parties, including the ATO, the agent, and the client, can have confidence that the client has authorized the agent to access their information and act on their behalf.
The new process is designed to defend against increasingly sophisticated criminal attempts to defraud the system. For example, criminals may pose as taxpayers and engage an agent to help them commit fraud, or they may pose as agents to gain access to client information and services available on the ATO's digital platforms.
This process requires business owners to have an ATO online services for business account. Business owners must complete the agent nomination in their ATO account. Once the business owner has completed the nomination, they must notify the chosen agent, who can then accept the invitation to act on behalf of the business.
Here are the steps for clients to nominate Cheesman Applegarth as your agent in the ATO’s client-to-agent linking process:
Set up your Digital ID (myGovID): Download the myGovID app and set up your myGovID. Jump to our previous post about setting up myGovID and RAM
Link your myGovID to your ABN: Link your myGovID to your Australian business number (ABN) using Relationship Authorisation Manager (RAM). myGovID and RAM setup post
Log in to ATO’s Online Services: Use your myGovID to log in to the ATO’s Online Services for business.
Nominate your authorised agent in Online Services for business: From the Online services for business home page, select Profile, then Agent details. At the Agent nominations feature, select Add. On the Nominate agent screen, go to Search for agent. Type Cheesman Applegarth or our Tax Agent Number 16 745 002, then select Search. Then select Cheesman Applegarth as the agent you want to nominate.
Notify your agent: After nominating Cheesman Applegarth as your agent, notify us by email at admin@applegarth.com.au with the subject "Client-To-Agent Linking" along with a message including your name and ABN, then we will complete the process to be able to act on your behalf with the ATO. It is important you tell us as we are not notified by the ATO and the invitation only remains valid for 7 Days.
Please note that we can assist you but cannot complete the process for you. If you need further assistance, you can contact the our office or the ATO directly.
You can also download this guide: