AUSTRALIAN Tax Office (ATO) digital services for small business were on display in Albury today, as the office opened its doors to the local small business community.
Federal Small Business Minister Michael McCormack was on hand to help showcase the range of digital services the ATO offers Australia’s 2.7 million small businesses.
“The ATO wants to make it as easy as possible for small business to manage tax and superannuation affairs and I am excited to help showcase the range of services available,” Mr McCormack said.
“Having run my own small business for eight years in southern New South Wales, I understand small businesses want to ensure the management of tax and superannuation affairs are as easy-to-use and simple as possible.”
Mr McCormack said the ATO is simplifying the way business manage their obligations through a range of improvements.
“The ATO wants to integrate tax obligations into the daily management of business. Through working with software providers, arrangements are now in place for small businesses to lodge information with the ATO securely any time from any device.”
“While not removing AUSkey, this change simply provides alternatives for log in and use of ATO services. These changes give the option of using a myGov username and password instead of an AUSkey, and it will work on any device,” Mr McCormack said.
More than 40,000 people have connected ABNs to their myGov account to date.
“For the first time this year, sole traders can also lodge a tax return online using myTax. They can also save time by registering their voiceprint in the ATO app to log in securely,” Mr McCormack said.
“The free ATO app also gives quick access to handy tools and calculators, answers to frequently asked questions, key dates and reminders.
”With more options and easier connectivity, the ATO’s changes understand small business’ desire to access tax and superannuation information, as well as ATO services, in a fast, efficient and easy-to-use manner. Through saving small business time and making compliance easier, this is a step in the right direction which will help the ATO’s small business clients.”
To find out about the range of services for small business, go to the ATO’s website.