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  • Create a myGov account and link it to the ATO

    How to create a myGov account and link to the ATO as an individual or sole trader.

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    Create a myGov account

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

    When you create a myGov account, use:

    • an email address that only you have access to - don't use a shared email.
    • an Australian mobile number to receive SMS security codes to sign in.

    If you don't provide an Australian mobile number, you'll need to update your myGov sign in option. You can't use Answer a secret question as your sign in option when linking to or accessing our online services.

    For instructions, see our Easy Read How to create a myGov account and link to your tax and super.

    You can also create an account by selecting Continue with Digital identity, if you have set up the myGovID app to a Standard identity strength.

    Create a myGov account

    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

    Media: Link your myGov account to the ATO
    http://tv.ato.gov.au/ato-tv/media?v=bd1bdiubfo8e4mExternal Link (Duration: 02:55)

    Before you start trying to link:

    To link to us:

    1. Sign in to your myGov account.
    2. Select View and link services on the myGov home page.
    3. Under Link a service heading, select Link next to Australian Taxation Office.
    4. Select I agree to the terms and conditions of use.
    5. Enter or confirm your personal details.
    6. Answer 2 questions about your tax record.
    7. Select I agree to verifying and linking my record.

    If you attempt to answer 2 questions but don't have the required information to link, a linking code option will appear. You'll need to phone us to get a unique linking code. We will need to ask you questions to prove who you are. This is to protect the privacy of your account.

    myGov sign in options

    To link your myGov account to us you must use one of these sign in options:

    Use the myGovID app or myGov Code Generator app, if you:

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

    Once you link, you can then use the ATO app or the myGov appExternal Link to securely access ATO online services.

    Check or change your sign in option

    Check and update how you sign in to myGov following these steps:

    1. Sign in to your myGov accountExternal Link
    2. Go to My account.
    3. Select Account settings.
    4. Select Sign in options.
    5. To update your sign in, follow the prompts.

    When changing your sign in option, you can also enable an additional sign in option as a backup. If you connect your myGovID app, it can automatically be used in addition to your existing sign in option.

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

    Sign out – don't unlink

    When you finish using ATO online services, return to myGov and sign out. You don't need to unlink.

    If you unlink, you won't see our messages in your myGov Inbox or have access to ATO online services. To access our online services again, relink ATO to your myGov account.

    Troubleshooting linking issues

    If you have trouble linking to us, check:

    Last modified: 15 Jun 2023QC 63135