Helping your clients stay safe online
We have added new features to the ATO app to help taxpayers keep their personal information secure. These features are available to your individual and sole trader clients using the app.
Real time messages
The ATO app will now notify users in real time when changes are made to their ATO account. ATO app messages will be sent with a push notification when:
- an income tax lodgment is made
- user’s bank account details are updated, including changes to your practice’s bank or trust account details
- other changes are made to their account details, such as when their ATO online account is linked to a different myGov account.
Users will then be able to act if something doesn’t look right.
Account lock
Where users are concerned about unauthorised access, they can use the ATO app to lock their ATO account and help keep it safe.
This helps to ensure only the taxpayer or their registered tax practitioner can access their details, make changes or lodge returns on their behalf.
Once an ATO account is locked:
- the user will be logged out of the ATO app
- a confirmation will be emailed to the user with the contact number they need to unlock their ATO account or discuss any concerns
- the user will not be able to log back in to the ATO app or ATO online services
- no refunds will issue.
Tips for tax practitioners
Encourage clients to register their device
To access all the latest security benefits and new features, your client will need to register their device within the ATO app. This is a simple one-time process which enables them to set permissions for receiving push notifications.
The user will be automatically prompted to complete the process from within the app and can register up to 3 devices.
See what your client sees
If your client receives an ATO app message or locks their ATO account using the ATO app, this will be visible in Online services for agents under Communication history.
Help prevent confusion when updating details
Consider how you communicate with your clients about the use of trust accounts and any differences between your registered business name, trading name, and trust account name.
You can update these details in the onboarding process, rather than waiting until lodgment.
Make ATO app messages work for you
ATO app messages can work with the services you provide to let your clients know when you have made updates or lodged their tax return.
A lock will not prevent your access to a client’s ATO account
You will still be able to view, update and progress any work through your practice software or Online services for agents as per normal. Pre-fill details for limited years will be available, however refunds will not issue.
To unlock their ATO account or to discuss any concerns, users will need to phone the ATO on 1800 467 033 during business hours. As their practitioner, you can also phone us to request a temporary unlock on your client’s behalf.
Case study: Trevor keeps his client safe and informed
Tax agent Trevor has just received the pre-fill information for Michaela’s tax return. He’s pleased to see she has used the myDeductions tool in the ATO app and all her receipts and invoices are ready to go.
Trevor completes Michaela’s draft return and, whilst doing so, he updates the bank account details to reflect the new trust account at his practice. He knows updating them will issue a real time message to Michaela. Not wanting her to worry about fraud, Trevor contacts Michaela to let her know he made the change.
Michaela is reassured, and Trevor lets her know to check the ATO app for the outcome of her return and when a refund has been issued.
Dive deeper into the ATO app features
Visit ato.gov.au/appExternal Link to find out more about existing features. Many of these can streamline the tax experience for your client and support your engagements with them, including:
- tracking their tax returns from start to finish, so they can easily:
- check the progress of their tax return once lodged
- view the outcome of their return once lodged
- download and view their notice of assessment
- using the myDeductions tool to keep and organise tax records and easily email data to you, their tax practitioner
- keeping track of their super and employment information
- viewing their tax accounts, including Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) and activity statement accounts
- quickly accessing transactions, payment plan details and making payments in ATO online services
- easily finding details like their tax file number and keeping key personal and business details up to date
- checking your details as their registered tax practitioner
- accessing the tax withheld calculator
- using ABN Lookup
- conducting a business performance check.
You can encourage your clients to download the ATO app from Google Play or the App Store.
This is a general summary only. For more information or support using the ATO app, visit ato.gov.au/appExternal Link.