If your Tax File Number (TFN) has been compromised, the ATO lock down your account and restricts access to ensure security.
In the past, this meant that each year you would need to contact the ATO directly to ask them to remove the restricted access so that we could gain access to your information and complete your tax return. This access would only be granted for 48 hours giving a strict timeline to complete your returns.
Moving forward, if you have a Strong Digital Identity in MyGovID these additional security measures will no longer be required and we will regain full access to your ATO account.
It’s highly likely that you already have a MyGovID account and that the strength is Basic or Standard. You can check this by logging into your app. To increase your identity strength to Strong, you MUST add your passport details and complete a face verification check. This is like a selfie that’s compared to the photo on your passport. The app will prompt you on how to do it. It’s a one-off process to check that you’re a real person, the right person and verifying in real time. At the moment, adding a passport is the only way to gain Strong identity strength.
After upgrading to Strong identity strength, please follow the steps below to complete the process and have the restricted access to your ATO account lifted.
You can check our the Australian Tax Office Website to watch the video steps.
If you don’t already have a MyGovID account, you will need to set one up by following the instructions below.
Firstly, you will need to download the MyGovID app to your smartphone or tablet.
Enter your full name, date of birth and email address. Ensuring you use the same email address associated with your existing Personal MyGov account
Enter the details for your identity documents. You will need to confirm your identity using at least two of the following documents – one of these MUST be your passport. Your name needs to be entered exactly as it would be in the documents including middle names.
When adding your passport, you will be asked to complete a face verification check. This is like a selfie that’s compared to the photo on your passport. The app will prompt you on how to do it. It’s a one-off process to check that you’re a real person, the right person and verifying in real time. At the moment, adding a passport is the only way to gain Strong identity strength.
Your MyGovID should now be set up with a ‘Strong’ identity strength
After upgrading to Strong identity strength verification, please follow the steps below to complete the process and have the restricted access to your ATO account lifted.
You can check our the Australian Tax Office Website to watch the video steps.
