The security of your clients’ tax and super information is very important to us. Recent data breaches in Australia highlight the urgent and growing need to protect the identities of Australians from identity-related theft. Identity crime is disruptive and distressing for those who fall victim. Tax agents, BAS agents and payroll service providers are not immune to fraud and identity theft.
That's why we're further strengthening the security of our online services by adding an extra control into the process before you can link to new clients or change authorisations for existing clients.
Clients will need to nominate an agent in online services for business when they change an agent or increase the authorisation they currently have agreed with their agent. Existing client to agent arrangements will not require a nomination by clients unless they change the authorisation.
Client-to-agent linking currently applies to public and multinational businesses, businesses in the Top 500 privately-owned wealthy groups and government entities.
From 13 November 2023, client-to-agent linking will apply to all types of businesses with an ABN excluding sole traders. This includes entity types such as companies, trusts, partnerships, superannuation funds and not-for-profit entities.
We're committed to supporting you and your clients through this change so find out more at Client-to-agent linking in online services. We’ll continue to publish updates to our website in preparation for the next deployment in November 2023.
We're expanding the client agent linking process to more businesses to further strengthen our online services.