Quick answer
To use ATO Online services for business, you need two things: a myID, the government's Digital ID app (called myGovID until mid-November 2024), with Standard or Strong identity strength, and your myID linked to your business's ABN in RAM, the Relationship Authorisation Manager. The principal authority, such as a sole trader, director, partner or trustee, links first, then can authorise others like a bookkeeper or staff member.
Key points
- myID is the Digital ID app; RAM links it to your business.
- You need Standard or Strong identity strength for business online services.
- The principal authority links first, then authorises others.
- Set it up before you need it; identity checks can take a little time.
If you’ve ever been asked for an ATO statement and discovered you can’t log in, you’re in good company. Setting up business access to the ATO is one of those jobs that’s easy to put off until the day you urgently need it. Doing it on a quiet afternoon instead takes the stress out.
What are myID and RAM, in plain English?
Two separate pieces that work together:
- myID is the Australian Government’s Digital ID app. It proves you are you when you log in. The ATO renamed it from myGovID in mid-November 2024, so older instructions may still use the old name. The ATO says myID is currently the only Digital ID available to log in to its online services.
- RAM (Relationship Authorisation Manager) is an authorisation service. It connects your myID to a business, so the ATO knows you’re allowed to act for it.
Think of myID as your key, and RAM as the list of doors that key is allowed to open.
What will I need before I start?
- A smartphone that can run the myID app.
- A personal email address that only you use.
- Australian identity documents. myID says that to increase your identity strength you need to verify at least two documents; for Strong, one can be an Australian passport and you verify your photo.
- Your business’s ABN.
- For companies, trusts and partnerships: confirmation that you’re listed as an associate (director, trustee or partner) on the ABN.
Step 1: Set up myID with the right identity strength
- Download the myID app from your phone’s official app store.
- Enter your details and verify your email.
- Verify your identity documents in the app.
- Check your identity strength. The ATO says its online services can be accessed with Standard or Strong identity strength.
If you’re stuck at Basic, verifying a second document usually moves you up. The myID website has help for common document problems.
Step 2: Link your business in RAM
The first person to link a business in RAM is usually its principal authority. According to the ATO, that’s:
| Structure | Principal authority |
|---|---|
| Sole trader | You |
| Company | An eligible director listed on the ABN |
| Partnership | An eligible partner listed on the ABN |
| Trust | An eligible trustee (or a director of the corporate trustee) |
| Some other entities | A primary person where no associates are listed |
Go to RAM, log in with your myID, and follow the prompts to link your ABN. RAM checks your details against the Australian Business Register. If the details match, the link is made online. If they don’t (for example, your name is recorded differently on the ABN), RAM offers other ways to link, which take a little longer.
Step 3: Authorise the people who help you
Once linked, you can create authorisations in RAM so others can act for the business online, for example:
- your bookkeeper, if they work inside your ATO account rather than through an agent portal,
- an office manager who lodges BAS,
- a co-director who also wants access.
Each person uses their own myID. Never share yours. You choose what level of access each person has, and you can remove it at any time. This is also a good moment to remove anyone who no longer works with you.
Step 4: Test it
Log in to Online services for business and check you can see:
- your account balances and transactions,
- lodged activity statements,
- lodged returns and notices of assessment, where applicable.
The ATO says the accounts and payments menu lets you view balances, download transactions, and print or save statements. While you’re there, download a current ATO account statement and save it; lenders often ask for one. Our page on your ATO statement of account explains what they look for.
If you’re setting this up because you’re thinking about finance, you don’t need to wait until it’s all done. You can enquire now without any credit check or documents, and have access sorted by the time paperwork is needed.
What are the common snags?
| Snag | Likely fix |
|---|---|
| Stuck at Basic identity strength | Verify a second identity document in the app |
| RAM won’t match your details | Check how your name appears on the ABN record; use RAM’s alternative linking options |
| You’re not listed as an associate on the ABN | Update the ABN details (your accountant can help), then link |
| Changed phones | Follow myID’s guidance for setting up on a new device |
| Bookkeeper can’t see the business | Check their authorisation in RAM and its access level |
Do sole traders need all this?
Not always. Sole traders can do most things through ATO online services in myGov, including viewing lodged returns, NOAs and activity statements. Linking your ABN in RAM is still useful if you want to use Online services for business or authorise a bookkeeper. Our guide to getting copies of tax documents covers the myGov route.
Why is this worth doing before you need finance?
Because it removes the most common delay in document gathering. Lenders frequently ask for:
- a current ATO account statement,
- recent lodged BAS,
- lodged returns and NOAs.
With access set up, each is a download. Without it, you’re waiting on identity checks, your accountant, or both, often at the moment you’re under the most time pressure. It’s one of the key steps in our 14-day loan-ready plan, and our paperwork checklist builder flags ATO documents when they’re likely to be needed.
How do I keep access secure once it’s set up?
A few simple habits protect your business’s tax records:
- One person, one myID. Never let anyone log in as you, even a trusted bookkeeper. Authorise them properly in RAM instead.
- Review authorisations regularly. Remove people who’ve left the business or no longer need access.
- Protect the phone. myID lives on your phone, so use a screen lock and keep the device updated.
- Be wary of links. Log in by going to the ATO or RAM website yourself rather than clicking links in unexpected emails or texts. Scam messages often imitate government services.
- Keep your ABN details current. If directors, partners or trustees change, update the ABN record so RAM matches reality.
If someone does contact you out of the blue asking for your myID codes or banking logins, treat it as a scam. Our page on business loan scams has more warning signs.
Illustrative example: the director who wasn’t linked
Illustrative only; no real business described.
Two directors run a small engineering company. Their accountant has always handled the ATO side, so neither has ever linked the business in RAM. When the company considers equipment finance, one director sets up myID on a Sunday afternoon, verifies his licence and passport to reach Strong, and links the ABN in RAM. He then authorises his co-director and their bookkeeper. On Monday he downloads the ATO account statement and last four BAS himself.
Access sorted, next step easy
Once you can reach your ATO records in a few clicks, the paperwork part of any application stops being a hurdle. Our enquiry takes about 60 seconds, there’s no credit check when you first enquire, and your details stay with our lending team instead of being passed to a pile of lenders. A real person calls to talk through your options in plain English.
When you fill in the form, give an accurate picture of any tax owing, since you’ll now be able to see it clearly. That accuracy is what lets us suggest the right option the first time.
Frequently asked questions
Is myID the same as myGov?
No. myGov is an online account for government services. myID is a Digital ID app used to prove who you are when logging in to certain services, including ATO Online services for business. myID was called myGovID until mid-November 2024.
What identity strength do I need?
The ATO says its online services can be accessed with a myID of Standard or Strong identity strength. To increase your strength, myID says you need to verify at least two identity documents.
Who is the principal authority?
The ATO lists sole traders, eligible individual associates on the ABN such as directors, partners and trustees, and in some cases a primary person with no associates listed. They link the business in RAM first.
Can my bookkeeper use my myID?
No. Everyone uses their own myID. Once you've linked the business, you can authorise your bookkeeper or staff in RAM to act for the business.
Do sole traders need RAM?
Sole traders can use ATO online services through myGov for most things. They can also link their ABN in RAM to use Online services for business.
Why does this matter for a loan?
Lenders often ask for an ATO account statement, lodged BAS or returns. With access set up, you can download them yourself in minutes.