As a principal authority, you can check or update your details on the Australian Business Register (ABR):

• using ABR online services, if you’ve linked your business in RAM (or another principal authority can update the details if they’ve linked to the business in RAM)
• through your registered tax agent
• by contacting the ABR – check if you can link your business in RAM before you call.

Your details need to be up to date on the ABR before you can link your business. To link:

• you need to be listed as the person responsible for the business (sole trader or eligible individual associate)
• your name needs to match the name used to set up your digital identity, such as myGovID.

When a business listed is:

• no longer operating – you need to cancel the Australian business number (ABN)
• still operating but you’re no longer the associate – you need to update the Australian Business Register (ABR) details.

If your digital identity, such as myGovID, is linked to the business in RAM then you can update your details or cancel your ABN using ABR online services.

You need a myGovID with a Standard identity strength to link an Australian business number (ABN) as a principal authority in RAM. To achieve this, you need to verify two Australian identity documents in your myGovID app.

See How to set up or check your myGovID app for the latest list of accepted identity documents.

If you're unable to achieve a Standard identity strength, check whether another principal authority can and they can link the business in RAM instead. They can also authorise you to access some services as a Basic user.

Where no principal authority can achieve a Standard identity strength, your business won’t be able to use myGovID at this time. Your business will need to use alternative lodgment options, such as cloud-based Standard Business Reporting (SBR)-enabled software or a registered tax agent.

You may be unable to achieve a Standard identity strength if you don’t have the required identity documents.

Check the required identity strength for each service. If the service you want to access accepts Basic, you can set up a Basic myGovID and then be authorised as a Basic user by a principal authority or authorisation administrator. Some agencies may require further identity proofing.

See How to set up or check the myGovID app for the latest list of accepted identity documents.

See also:

• Accessing ATO online services with a Basic myGovID

A principal authority or authorisation administrator cannot access the details of your digital identity, such as myGovID, through RAM. Your digital identity belongs to you and you should not share it with others.

See Security for more information.

When you no longer need to create new machine credentials, you can remove the browser extension through your browser extension settings.

If you remove a browser extension and later require new machine credentials, you can re-install the browser extension. However, Chrome will not allow you to re-install it using the regular link as Chrome assumes it’s not trusted. You’ll need to download and install the browser extension from the Chrome web store.

Error codes: AUT.MID.007, AUT.MID.0002

This error means your digital identity, such as myGovID, does not meet the required identity strength. You can check what identity strength is required for each participating government online service on the myGovID website.

To upgrade your identity strength, you need to verify your Australian identity documents in your myGovID app.

See How to set up or check the myGovID app for the latest list of accepted identity documents.

Error codes: REB.BR.0312, REB.DV.0010.

To link a business in RAM you need to be the principal authority of the business.

If you’re a principal authority but can’t find your business in RAM this may be because:

• your details need to be updated on the Australian Business Register (ABR). For example, you may not be listed against the Australian business number (ABN) or your name may not match the name you used to set up your myGovID, these details can be updated
  • by another principal authority in ABR online services if their myGovID is already linked to the business
  • through your registered tax agent
  • by contacting the ABR
• you’re a primary person. This is a principal authority who is not an individual associate, for example a director of a corporate trustee. You will need to contact us to link your business, see Primary person.

Error codes: REB.BR.0003, REB.BR.0032, ROB.BR.0002, ROB.BR.0003

This error means your Australian business number (ABN) is not active. You should check that your ABN is active using ABN Lookup.

If your ABN has been cancelled, you will need to re-apply for an ABN.

Once your ABN has been reinstated you will then be able to link your business and authorise others to act on behalf of it.

If you’ve received this message, you need to check the information you’ve entered.

For the email address, you need to provide an active and valid email address to continue.

For the given and family name fields, you can only use the following characters:

• upper and lowercase letters from the English alphabet
• numbers zero to nine
• single quote (‘)
• comma (,)
• hyphen (-)
• space.

Error codes: REB.BR.0201, REB.BR.0202, REB.BR.0205, REB.BR.0206.

If you receive one of these error codes, you may need to update your details held by the ATO such as:

• name
• date of birth
• personal address (not your business address).

To find out how to update your ATO record, go to Update your details.

If your ATO records are correct, you may need to check and update the details you used to set up your digital identity, such as myGovID.

Error code: REB.BR.0316

This error means you are not able to complete the linking process due to the number of Australian business numbers (ABNs) you are associated with on the Australian Business Register (ABR).

For assistance linking these businesses, contact our support line on 1300 287 539 (select option 3 for RAM enquiries).

Error code: REB.BR.0040

If you receive this error you should check that:

• your name in the authorisation request email matches your name as it appears in the top right-hand corner when you log in to RAM
• you’ve entered the authorisation code exactly as it appears in the email request (the code is case sensitive).

Contact your principal authority or authorisation administrator if:

• your name doesn’t match, and ask them to send a new authorisation request using the name you used to set up your myGovID
• you continue to experience issues, and ask them to re-issue a new authorisation code.

If you continue to receive the message ‘Software required’ after downloading your browser extension, you can try the following to resolve your issue.

Check your browser extension is ‘enabled’

Note: Steps may vary depending on your browser version.

Chrome users

• Open the Chrome browser on your device
• At the top right, click More, then select More tools, then select Extensions
• Check if the ATOBE is Enabled. If it is Disabled, click to Enable
• Close your browser
• Reopen your browser and log in to RAM using your myGovID to create a machine credential.

Firefox users

• Open the Firefox browser on your device
• In the Address field type ‘about:addons’ and click Enter
• Select Extensions in the left-hand menu
• Check if the ATOBE is Enabled. If it is Disabled, click to Enable
• Close your browser
• Reopen your browser and log in to RAM using your myGovID to create a machine credential.

Check your security software has not blocked the browser extension

Note: Microsoft Defender is used as an example here (most security software will have similar steps). If you use different security software, check with your provider for guidance.

• Open Microsoft Defender
• SmartScreen will display that the app you want to install is unrecognized – then select More info
• Select the button Run anyway and follow the prompts
• Ensure ATOBE is Enabled in your chosen browser (refer to ‘Checking your browser extension is enabled’ above)
• Close your browser
• Reopen your browser and log in to RAM using your myGovID to create a machine credential.

If you continue to receive the ‘Software required’ message, contact the Technical Help Desk.

Error codes: CDC.DV.0001, REB.BR.0024, REB.BR.0036, REB.BR.0041, REB.BR.0048, REB.BR.0067, REB.BR.0604, REB.BR.0605, REB.BR.0606, REB.BR.0607, REB.BR.0072, REB.BR.0073, REB.BR.0079

If you’ve received one of these error codes, check:

• you’ve entered the code exactly as it appears in the email as its case sensitive
• your name in the authorisation request matches your name as it appears in the top right-hand corner when you log in to RAM.

After five incorrect attempts to enter your authorisation code, you'll be locked out for two hours before you can try again. If you continue to experience issues, contact a principal authority or authorisation administrator to re-issue a new authorisation code.

The RAM website has support material to assist you and is updated regularly.

If you still need to speak with us, you can phone our support line on 1300 287 539 (select option 3 for RAM enquiries) between:

• 8.00am and 6.00pm, Monday to Friday
• 10.00am and 2.00pm, Saturday.

International callers can phone the ATO switchboard on + 61 2 6216 1111 between 8.00am and 5.00pm AEST and request your call to be transferred to the RAM support line.

All times are local unless otherwise specified. On Australian national public holidays our contact centres are closed throughout Australia. With state public holidays, only those states affected will be closed.

RAM with a digital identity, such as myGovID, is secure and ensures only you and authorised users can access a government online service on behalf of the business.

However, if you suspect someone has inappropriately accessed your business details in RAM, contact our support line immediately on 1300 287 539 (select option 3 for RAM enquiries) between:

• 8.00am and 6.00pm, Monday to Friday
• 10.00am and 2.00pm, Saturday.

International callers can phone the ATO switchboard on + 61 2 6216 1111 between 8.00am and 5.00pm AEST and request your call to be transferred to the RAM support line.

All times are local unless otherwise specified. On Australian national public holidays our contact centres are closed throughout Australia. With state public holidays, only those states affected will be closed.

You should also review and remove any authorisations of concern. See Manage authorisations to find out how.

For more information about the security of RAM and tips for staying safe online, see Security.