Client Agent Nomination

Overview

Nominating an agent allows a trusted third party, such as a tax professional or business adviser, to act on your behalf in managing your business’s tax and superannuation affairs. This process involves several key steps, including setting up your digital identity, linking it to your business, and authorising the agent through the Online Services for Business platform.

Step 1: Set Up Your Digital Identity (myGovID)

How to Set Up myGovID:

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  Download the myGovID app: Available on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
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  Create your digital identity: Follow the prompts in the app to enter your details and create an account. You will need to provide personal information such as your name, date of birth, and a valid email address.
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  Verify your identity: To increase your myGovID’s security level, you must verify your identity using official documents like your driver’s licence, passport, or Medicare card.
  
  Identity strength levels:
  
  
  • Basic: Requires only minimal verification.
  • Standard: Suitable for most services.
  • Strong: Required for accessing sensitive business services. This involves verifying multiple identity documents.
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  Secure your myGovID: You can add extra security measures such as face recognition or fingerprint scanning, depending on your device’s capabilities.

Step 2: Link Your myGovID to Your ABN via the Relationship Authorization Manager (RAM)

Linking Your myGovID to Your ABN:

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  Access RAM: Go to the RAM Login Page
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  Log in using myGovID: You must use your myGovID to log in to RAM.
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  Linking process:
  
  
  • Principal authority role: The principal authority (the person legally responsible for the business) must be the first to link their myGovID to the ABN. This step verifies your authority to manage the business's affairs.
    Open Principal authority
  • Verification: RAM will verify your details against the Australian Business Register (ABR). If your identity strength is classified as Strong and your name matches the ABN records, you can link your myGovID online.
  • Manual linking: If your identity strength is not classified as Strong or your name is not listed in the ABR, you must contact the Australian Business Register for manual verification. Follow the instructions provided
    Other ways you can link your business

Select Businesses

Link and Verify

Complete Linking

Important Information for Trusts: Linking to RAM

Understanding the Issue:

How to Resolve the Issue:

• 
  Manual Linking by the ATO:
  
  
  • Since the system cannot process this type of association automatically, the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) must manually link your myGovID to the trust in RAM.
  • This manual process ensures that your role as a director of the corporate trustee is acknowledged, allowing you to manage the trust through RAM.
• 
  Contacting the ATO:
  
  
  • You will likely need to contact the ATO directly to facilitate this manual linking. This may involve a phone call where you provide the necessary details to verify your association with the trust.
  • The ATO may request additional documentation or information to confirm your role.
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  Preparing for the Call:
  
  
  • Before contacting the ATO, ensure you have all relevant information on hand, including your myGovID details, ABN, and any documentation that supports your role as a director of the corporate trustee.

By understanding this process, you can navigate the complexities of linking a trust to RAM more effectively. If you encounter any difficulties, reaching out to the ATO for assistance will help ensure that your myGovID is correctly linked, allowing you to manage the trust’s affairs without further issues.

Step 3: Authorise Others to Act on Your Behalf (Optional)

How to Authorise Others:

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  Access the authorisation settings: Log in to RAM and go to the ‘Manage Authorisations' section.
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  Create new authorisations:
  
  
  • Select the ‘Add Authorisation' option.
  • Enter the details of the person you want to authorise, including their name, myGovID email, and the specific roles or services they are allowed to access.
  • Define the scope and duration of their access.
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  Notify the authorised individuals: The authorised person will receive an invitation via email. They must accept the authorisation within a specified period, usually seven days.

For a step-by-step guide, visit the authorisation Setup Instructions

Step 4: Log in to Online Services for Business

Steps to Log in:

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  Go to the Online Services for Business website: Visit Online Services for Business
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  Select 'Login': You will be prompted to log in using your myGovID.
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  Complete multi-factor authentication: Depending on your security settings, you may need to authenticate your login with additional steps, such as a verification code sent to your device.

Step 5: Nominate Your Authorised Agent in Online Services for Business

Steps to Nominate an Agent:

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  Navigate to 'Agent Details':
  
  
  • On the homepage, go to Profile and select Agent details.
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  Add a New Agent Nomination:
  
  
  • Click on Add under the Agent nominations section.
  • On the Nominate agent screen, select Search for agent.
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  Search for Your Agent:
  
  
  • Enter the registered agent number (e.g., xxxxxxxx) or the practice name (e.g. Company ABC).
  • Click Search to locate the agent.
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  Confirm the Agent:
  
  
  • If multiple results are returned, select the correct agent from the list.
  • Verify the agent’s details to ensure accuracy.
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  Complete the Declaration:
  
  
  • Review the declaration statement and tick the box to confirm your agreement.
  • Click Submit to finalise the nomination.

Your agent’s details should now be visible under the Agent nominations section. For additional information. Visit Agent Nomination Guide

Search For Agent

Select and Check Agent Details

Complete Declaration and Submit

Completed Agent Linking

Step 6: Notify Your Agent

Additional Tips and Considerations

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  Maintain a Strong myGovID Identity: Ensure your myGovID identity remains at the Strong level, as this is required for accessing sensitive business services and for authorising other users.
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  Keep Contact Information Updated: Regularly update your contact details in the ABR to avoid any disruptions in your ability to link myGovID or authorise others.
• 
  Security Practices: Use secure methods for sharing sensitive information with your agent, such as encrypted email or secure portals (as provided by Synkli).

By following this comprehensive guide, you can efficiently manage the process of nominating an agent to handle important business activities on your behalf, ensuring that your business remains compliant with Australian regulations.