ATO and administration
ATO online services
ATO online services is the secure portal, accessed through myGov or a business login, where individuals and sole traders can view tax records, lodge returns and manage their dealings with the Australian Taxation Office.
ATO online services is the secure digital portal the Australian Taxation Office provides so that taxpayers can handle most of their tax affairs without phoning or posting anything. Individuals and sole traders normally reach it by linking the ATO to a myGov account, while businesses and their representatives use a separate business login system. Once inside, you can see your account balances, lodged forms, notices and a range of other information held about you.
For an individual, the portal is where you lodge an income tax return, check whether pre-filled information such as employer income statements and bank interest has arrived, view a notice of assessment, update contact and bank details, and request a payment plan. Sole traders also see their business activity statement information here, including lodgment history, amounts owing and any credits waiting to be refunded.
Businesses use a related but distinct service often called Online services for business. A company, partnership or trust is typically represented by individuals who have been given authority to act, and each person needs to establish a digital identity before access is granted. Registered tax agents and BAS agents have their own agent portal, which lets them lodge on behalf of many clients and see client account information once they are authorised.
In GST terms, the portal is one of the main ways to lodge a business activity statement, revise a previously lodged statement, change your reporting cycle, update your registration details and see your running account with the ATO. Many small businesses also use accounting software that connects to the ATO through approved channels, so the figures flow straight from the bookkeeping file into the lodgment.
A common misunderstanding is that someone with a personal myGov account can automatically see a company's tax records. They cannot. Access to a business's information depends on being formally linked to that entity, usually through its Australian Business Number and an authorisation recorded by the business. Another frequent mistake is ignoring the notifications sent to your online inbox. Important letters, such as reminders, assessments and audit contact, may be delivered only electronically once you have chosen that option.
Security matters because the portal holds sensitive information. Use strong, unique passwords, keep the authentication app on a device you control, and be wary of text messages or emails that claim to be from the ATO and ask you to click a link to log in. The ATO says it does not send unsolicited links asking you to sign in, and genuine access should always be started by typing the address yourself or opening the official app. This is general information only, so confirm your own situation with the ATO or a registered tax professional.
Worked example
Jess is a sole trader plumber with quarterly BAS. In October she logs in through myGov, opens her business activity statement for the September quarter and sees that her accounting software has already sent her figures. GST on sales is $8,400 and GST credits are $3,150, so the net amount payable is $5,250. She checks the figures, lodges the statement online, then uses the same portal to arrange payment before the due date.
Practical tips
- Check your online inbox regularly, because notices and reminders may appear there before they reach you any other way. Set up email or SMS alerts so you know when something new arrives.
- Authorise your BAS agent or tax agent through the portal rather than sharing your own login. That keeps your credentials private and gives you a clear record of who can act for you.
- Never enter your login details on a page reached from an unexpected email or text message. Open the portal yourself instead.