The ATO announced on Tuesday that it, and 26 other government agencies, will retire the AUSkey and Manage ABN Connections portals on 27 March this year,, meaning that anyone who uses the ATO’s Business Portal to, for example, lodge a Business Activity Statement (BAS), will need to setup and use myGovID.

The ATO says that the myGovID app is available to download to a smart device, using security features in the device such as fingerprint, face or password to help keep information secure - and protect a users identity and help stop other people accessing their information.

“Once the app is set up, the business owner will need to link their myGovID to their business using the authorisation service called Relationship Authorisation Manager (RAM) and
authorise employee access,” the ATO notes.

The ATO’s Chief Digital Officer John Dardo says most people will find myGovID solves a lot of problems they had with AUSkey and encourages them to try it today.

“We’ve had over five million logins to the ATO Portals using myGovID so far and that’s because it’s simple, secure and flexible.

“We’ve developed a solution for employees who do not have the required identity documents and can’t set up their myGovID, for example non-residents. It will be available in mid-March,
allowing these users to make the move to myGovID then.”

The ATO provides information on how to get started with myGovID in a few simple steps:

• Step 1: Set up your myGovID - download the myGovID app from the App Store or Google Play and use your Australian identity documents to enrol.
• Step 2: Log in to RAM using your myGovID and link your business. Before you link your business, check your details on the Australian Business Register are up to date
  so RAM can use the correct information.
• Step 3 (optional): Authorise your employees and others in RAM to act on behalf of your business online. They will receive an email to accept the authorisation request
  using their myGovID.

“We’re encouraging ATO Business Portal users to make the move from AUSkey to myGovID now before AUSkey retires,” said Dardo.

“Don’t leave it to the last minute, get set up today. Download the myGovID app and link it to a business using RAM”.