[Linux-aus] Employing staff/Single Touch Payroll/MyGovID - help!

[Fraser Tweedale]

w.r.t. Problem 2, I can tell you that my FOI request for MyGovID source code was
refused based on "Commercially Valuable Information" exemption, and the decision
was affirmed (with narrower reasons) on internal review.  My view (IANAL) is that
their reasons are based in fact and valid.  But my perception is - as is often the case
with FOI requests - they first decide to refuse, then contrive a legal basis to do so.

https://www.righttoknow.org.au/request/mygovid_source_code_and_technica

It's a sorry state of affairs.  Fortunately I do not need MyGovID (yet).  But I filed the
request in response to your previous blog post about this problem, Ben.  Sadly
the result was contrary to the public interest.

Cheers,
Fraser

On Thu, Jun 8, 2023, at 9:11 PM, Ben Sturmfels via linux-aus wrote:
> Hi folks,
>
> Do anyone run a small business and have experience employing staff and
> dealing with PAYG tax witholding?
>
> After many years of working with sub-contractors, I'm employing my first
> (non-family) staff member to work in my small business. I spent this
> morning working through how to report PAYG and superannuation, but I'm
> left feeling horrified and powerless at how proprietary this whole
> process is - needing both proprietary Single Touch Payroll (STP)
> software and the proprietary MyGovID app, with seemingly no alternative.
>
>
> Problem 1: Single Touch Payroll  software is all proprietary.
>
> A few years back the Australian Government mandated that all businesses
> must begin using Single Touch Payroll (STP) software to report PAYG tax
> witholding. You used to be able to report on paper, but it appears that
> that's no longer allowed. So you need some STP software. It's all
> proprietary unfortunately. I have pondered putting in an LA grant
> application to write a FOSS STP tool, but that doesn't help me right
> now. The least-worst option I've found is a Java-based tool called "Free
> Accounting Software", that provides Linux support.
>
>
> Problem 2: You need the proprietary MyGovID app - only available
> from Google or Apple app stores.
>
> The above STP software needs a "Machine Credential file", which is a
> digital key used to communicate with the Tax Office. To get a machine
> credential, you first need the proprietary MyGovID mobile app. To get
> MyGovID you need a Google or Apple account which I don't have, by
> personal choice.
>
> Then when you get the MyGovID app, there's some sort of scary
> "photograph your identity documents" dance to complete. Even putting the
> proprietary software and security/privacy issues aside, I can't quite
> believe that every small business in Australia has managed to deal with
> the complexity of this whole process.
>
>
> What are the alternatives? Not employing people? Forcing everyone to be
> sub-contractors? (also problematic) Not running a business at all? I'm
> hoping there's some secret loophole where I can just fill in a paper
> form and be done with it, which I what I did while employing my wife
> some years back before STP.
>
> I'd love to hear about your experience. Did you just end up using the
> proprietary software? (no judgement)
>
> (If this rings a bell, I did get a bit upset a few years back about
> changes requiring a MyGovID to submit business activity statements and
> use the Superannuation Clearing House, but it turned out that
> sole-traders like myself could still access these services via my.gov.au
> without MyGovID. See:
> https://stumbles.id.au/mygovid-ethical-privacy-and-security-problems-for-ato-business-portal.html)
>
> Regards,
> Ben
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