What is myGov and do you need it to lodge your tax return?

myGov is the Australian government's online services portal. It allows individuals to access a range of government services in one place, including the ATO, Medicare, Centrelink, and various state government services. For working holiday makers, the main reason to use myGov is to link your ATO account so you can view your income statements and lodge your tax return.

Setting up a myGov account

Creating a myGov account requires an Australian email address, a mobile number for verification, and a way to verify your identity. Identity verification is typically done by linking an existing government account, such as your ATO record, using details that match what the agency holds on file. This is the step that can be tricky for working holiday makers who are setting up myGov for the first time without other linked accounts.

Linking the ATO to your myGov account

Once your myGov account is created, you need to link the ATO service to it. This is done by providing your TFN and answering some questions based on your ATO records, such as your registered address or income amounts. Once linked, you can access your income statements and use the myTax lodgment tool directly from your myGov account.

Do you need myGov to lodge your tax return

If you want to lodge your return yourself, yes, myGov is effectively the way to do it. The ATO's myTax tool, which is the self-lodgment option, is accessed through myGov.

If you are using a registered tax agent, you do not need to use myGov at all. Your agent lodges on your behalf through their own professional tax software and you do not need to navigate the portal. This is one of the practical advantages of using an agent, particularly if you are lodging from overseas and find the myGov setup process complicated.

Accessing your income statements

Your employers report your wages and tax withholding to the ATO throughout the year. That information appears in your myGov account under the ATO service once it has been finalised. You can check whether all your employer reports are marked as tax ready before lodging your return.

Need help?

Prefer to leave the ATO portal to us?

We handle the lodgment process for working holiday makers so you do not need to navigate myGov yourself. Get in touch and we will take care of it.