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

[Ben Sturmfels]

Thanks Fraser, I'm really grateful for your efforts on this front!

On 8/6/23 13:52, Fraser Tweedale wrote:
> 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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