Agent nomination process for new business clients

Thank you for selecting Continuity Accounting to provide taxation services for you and your entities.

The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) have introduced an new process whereby you are required to nominate us to act on behalf of your business entities.

This new process is called ‘Client-to-agent linking’, it applies to all taxpayers with an Australian Business Number (ABN), excluding sole traders.

As a result of this change, you will need to take certain steps to authorise Continuity Accounting to act as tax agent on your behalf, as explained further below.

Why has Client-to-agent linking been introduced, and when does it need to be completed?

Registered agents have digital access to their clients’ tax information and the functionality to lodge returns and forms through the ATO’s online services.  Client-to-agent linking was introduced to strengthen the security of these online services.

Client-to-agent linking also helps protect a client’s information (e.g., from identity theft) by requiring them to securely nominate a registered agent using the ATO’s online platform, Online services for business.

Once this process has been completed, the agent can connect to the client and access their information.

What do you need to do?
  • 1. Nominate Continuity Accounting as your registered tax agent agent in Online services for business
    To do this, you will need to follow the client-to-agent linking steps outlined in the enclosed document from the ATO, which vary depending on whether or not you have already set up access for Online services for business. In summary, this means:
Action Required
Instructions

1. Log into Online services for business

Use your authorised myGovID to log in.

2. Nominate your authorised agent

From the home page:

  • select Profile, then Agent details;
  • at Agent nominations, select Add;
  • on the Nominate agent screen, go to Search for agent and search for us using our registered agent number 75491008;
  • complete the Declaration and select Submit;
  • confirm that you can see our details listed under Agent nominations; and
  • notify our office that these steps have been completed as soon as practicable.
  • B. If you have NOT set up access to Online services for business and do NOT have an appropriately authorised myGovID, before you follow the steps in the above table:
Action Required
Instructions

1. Set up your myGovID

This is the Government’s Digital Identity app and can be set up ato www.mygovid.gov.au/setup

It is advisable you establish a ‘Strong’ Identity strength to assist with subsequent steps.

2. Link your myGovID to the ABN

You will need to use the Government’s Relationship Authorisation Manager (‘RAM’) to link your myGovID to your ABN.  This should generally be done online. 

3. Authorise others (optional)

This is an optional step if you wish others to act on behalf of your business.
4. Log into Online services for business and nominate us as your authorised agent

Follow the instructions in the table above.

The steps outlined in Table A or B (whichever applies) must be repeated by each individual or by an authorised person of each entity in your group wishing to nominate us to act your authorised agent

    • Once a nomination has been submitted with the ATO, please notify Jess of our office on 07 3829 6000.

If you prefer you can email Jess on jmortiss@continuityaccounting.au.

It is important that this is done as soon as the nomination process is completed for each individual or entity in your group, as the ATO does not provide agents with a direct notification of a nomination.

We then have 28 calendar days to add you and any other individuals and entities in your group as a client or to add additional tax accounts before a nomination expires.  Should we need more time, we will request that the ‘Extend’ feature in Online services for business be used to add another 28 days to a nomination.

Unfortunately, we cannot complete this process on your behalf.  However, we can help you in understanding what you need to do.  For assistance, please contact Jess from our office on 07 3829 6000.

Alternatively, you can contact the ATO on 13 28 66 or visit www.ato.gov.au/Business/Bus/Agent-nomination-process/ for more details.

To further assist you, the above steps are explained in more detail in the downloadable guide, ‘How to nominate an agent in Online services for business’, which was prepared by the ATO.