Create a myGov account and link it to the ATO

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We also have an Easy Read version of this page – 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 one of the most secure ways to sign in to myGov and ATO online services. It can simplify the linking process and provide additional security for your ATO account.

Alternatively, use your email address (that only you have access to) and 2-factor authentication, such as a code by SMS or an authenticator.

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.

Create a myGov account

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

Link the ATO to your myGov account

Before you start:

• get the information you need to link the ATO to your myGov account
• consider using myID to sign in – it's a more secure sign-in option and can simplify the linking process.

Link the ATO to your myGov account in the following 4 steps:

1. Sign in to your myGov account.
2. Follow the prompts to link to the ATO.
3. Enter or confirm your personal details.
4. Answer questions to confirm your identity.

If you can't confirm your identity online, we will let you know what to do next.

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

myGov sign-in options

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

• myID (recommended) – set up to a Strong or Standard identity strength
• passkeyExternal Link
• an authenticator to generate a one-time code
• get a code by SMS using an Australian mobile number.

Use your myID, passkeyExternal Link, or authenticator 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, to sign in. Using myID provides a more secure sign-in option and can help simplify the linking process.

Download and set up the myID app to a Strong or Standard identity strengthExternal Link (the higher the identity strength, the more protection). 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 identity in the app making it harder for fraudsters to impersonate you
• sets your online access strength – this means you should continue to use your myID to access ATO online services through myGov – it's one of the most secure access methods and provides additional security for your ATO account.

Check or change your myGov sign-in option

You can check and update your myGov sign-in options in your myGov account 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 should always access ATO online services using your myID. This is because it's one of the most secure access methods and provides additional security for your ATO account.

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 the ATO, check:

• that 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.