Create a myGov account and link it to the ATO

We also have an Easy Read version of this – How to create a myGov account and link to your tax and super.

Create a myGov account

A myGov account lets you link to and access a range of government services online in one place.

To create an account, set up and use myID with a Strong or Standard identity strength. This is the most secure and flexible way to sign in to myGov and our online services.

Alternatively, use your email address (that only you have access to) and 2 factor authentication, such as a code by SMS or the myGov Code Generator app.

For your security, you can't use Answer a secret question as your sign in option when linking to or accessing our online services. If you selected this, you'll need to update your myGov sign in option.

If you already have a myGov account but you can't sign in, go to When you can't sign in to your myGov account.

Link your myGov account to the ATO

Before you start trying to link:

• get the information you need to link myGov to the ATO
• check you're not using Answer a secret question as your myGov sign in option.

Link your myGov account to us in 4 steps:

1. Sign in to your myGov account.
2. Follow the prompts to link to the Australian Taxation Office.
3. Enter or confirm your personal details.
4. Answer 2 questions about your tax record.

If you don't have the required information to link, you'll need to phone us to get a unique linking code. We will need to ask you questions to establish your identity. This is to protect the privacy of your account.

For detailed steps on how to link your myGov account to the ATO, watch our video:

myGov sign in options

To link your myGov account to us you must sign in using one of the following:

• myID (recommended) – set up to a Strong or Standard identity strength.
• Get a code by SMS using an Australian mobile number.
• myGov Code Generator appExternal Link to generate a one-time code.
• Passkey.

Use your myID, myGov Code Generator app or passkeyExternal Link if you:

• don’t have an Australian mobile number
• are overseas
• have poor mobile reception.

Using myID to sign in

We recommend using myID, the Australian Government's Digital ID app, as your sign in option.

Download and set up the app to a Strong or Standard identity strengthExternal Link. Then use it to create your myGov account or sign inExternal Link.

Using your myID to link to or access ATO online services:

• gives you a flexible sign in option – your myID isn't locked to a specific mobile number or device, and can be set up again using only an internet connection if you get a new phone
• provides better account security – unlike multifactor authentication, myID requires you to verify your ID in the app making it harder for fraudsters to impersonate you
• sets your online access strength – this means you must continue to use your myID to access ATO online services through myGov – this is because it's the most secure access method.

Check or change your myGov sign in option

You can check and update how you sign in to myGov in your myGov account settings under Sign in settings.

When changing your sign in option, you can also add another sign in option as a backup.

Once you've accessed ATO online services using your myID, you must always access ATO online services using your myID. This is because it's the most secure access method.

If you change your sign in option to Answer a secret question as the only option, your myGov account will be unlinked from the ATO as this is a less secure sign in option.

Troubleshooting linking issues

If you have trouble linking to us, check:

• your systems meet the minimum system requirements
• help and support for our online services (including error codes)
• if the system is affected by our system maintenance.