Before starting with myGovID, you need a compatible smart device (preferably with the latest or previous two OS versions) and two Australian identity documents with matching names. If your name has changed, you can use a marriage certificate or change of name certificate for verification. Expenses related to setting up myGovID might be tax-deductible.
To get started with myGovID, follow these steps:
1. Set Up Your myGovID:
Download the myGovID app from the App Store or Google Play. Enter your full name, date of birth, and personal email address. Verify your two identity documents; if using a Medicare card, it will be available as an option after verifying your first document. If you encounter issues scanning documents, you can edit or manually enter the details.
For more information, visit mygovid.gov.au/set-up.
2. Link Your myGovID to Your Business Using RAM:
Ensure you are the principal authority (business owner or responsible person) to link your business’s ABN to your myGovID.
If someone else is already authorized, they can grant you access via RAM.
To link online:
- log in to RAM
- select Link My Business – select the checkbox to provide your express consent to be redirected to the ATO to find your business or businesses, then select Continue
- add your personal postal or residential address and select Continue
- select the business or businesses you want to link and select Continue – if you can’t find your business, check and update your ABR details
- enter an email address (this can be different to the one used to set up your Digital Identity) and select Send email to receive a verification code
- enter the verification code and select Verify and Continue
- review the summary of the selected business or businesses – select the checkboxes to declare you understand and accept and provide your express consent, then select Submit
- a message will display confirming your business is successfully linked – you can then add another business or Continue.
Once linked, you’ll be authorised in RAM to act on behalf of the business and can set up authorisations for others to act on behalf of the business.
For more details, visit info.authorisationmanager.gov.au/principal-authority for guidance.
3. Log In to Online Services for Business:
Once setup is complete, use your myGovID app to log in. Enter your email address on the online services for business login page, then input the 4-digit code from the myGovID app to access the services.
The Pay As You Go (PAYG) Instalments system allows you to make periodic payments towards your expected tax liability for business and investment income throughout the year. Your final tax liability is calculated at the end of the year when your income tax return is assessed, and PAYG instalments are credited to determine if you owe more tax or are due a refund.
The ATO notifies required payers of their instalment rate, which is based on their last assessed return. Instalments are usually paid quarterly, but options include biannual or a single annual payment.
Most businesses calculate their own instalments based on current income, rather than relying on ATO estimates. We generally do not submit PAYG forms for clients to avoid losing the paper form sent by mail. For more information on this, see the ATO brochure.
For more details on Tax in SMSF, please see here.
