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The ATO App: Your Best Defence Against Tax Scams


With tax time approaching, cyber criminals are becoming increasingly sophisticated in their attempts to impersonate the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). Fortunately, the ATO has significantly enhanced its mobile app, making it one of the most valuable tools every taxpayer should have installed.

Whether you're an individual taxpayer or a business owner, the ATO app provides a secure, convenient way to manage your tax affairs while offering powerful protection against identity theft and scam activity.



What is the ATO App?


The ATO app is the Australian Taxation Office's official mobile application, available free from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

It allows you to securely access many of the ATO's online services directly from your smartphone, giving you convenient access to your tax information anytime, anywhere.


ATO App
Stay one step ahead this tax time by using the ATO app to verify calls, protect your information and manage your tax securely from your phone.


What Can You Do With the ATO App?


  • View your tax return and lodgement history

  • Track the progress of your tax refund

  • Access superannuation information

  • View income statements

  • Manage tax debts and payment plans

  • Update personal details

  • Access ATO correspondence

  • Use calculators and record-keeping tools

  • Securely access ATO Online Services using myID



New Security Feature: Verify ATO Calls Instantly


If someone calls claiming to be from the ATO:


  1. Keep the caller on the line.

  2. Open your ATO app.

  3. Log in.

  4. Select 'Verify Call'.

  5. Within approximately 30 seconds the app will confirm whether the call is genuine.


If no confirmation appears, hang up immediately.



Protect Your ATO Account


The app includes account lock functionality, security notifications and secure login using myID to help protect your tax account from unauthorised access.



Recognising ATO Scams


Scammers may demand immediate payment, threaten arrest, request gift cards or cryptocurrency, ask for your TFN or banking details, send suspicious text messages, or pressure you to stay on the phone.

The ATO will never pressure you into making immediate payments or threaten arrest over the phone.



Stop. Check. Protect.


Stop before responding to unexpected contact.

Check by using the Verify Call feature or logging into your ATO account independently.

Protect your information by never sharing personal details until you've verified the caller.



Why We Recommend Every Client Downloads the ATO App


We recommend every client downloads the official ATO app, sets up myID, enables notifications, and familiarises themselves with the Verify Call feature before tax time.



Need Help?


If you're ever unsure whether communication claiming to be from the ATO is genuine, contact our office before responding. We'd much rather help you verify a call than see you become the victim of a scam.


Disclaimer  

This article does not constitute financial advice and is for general information only. It does not take into account any individual’s personal objectives, situation or needs, and is not intended as professional advice. Any similarity to an individual’s personal circumstances and the examples provided in this article is purely coincidental. Any person acting upon such information without receiving specific advice, does so entirely at their own risk.  

Authorisation under an Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL) is not required in the provision of this article and the author plus Future Accounting Group Pty Ltd is not acting in its capacity as an Australian Financial Services Licence holder 

Liability limited by a scheme approved under professional standards legislation.


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