ATO credentials, also known as machine credentials, are required for secure communication with the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). These credentials are created via the Relationship Authorisation Manager (RAM) website and then configured in HandiTax.
Set ATO Credentials
Open the current year of HandiTax and go to Lodgment, Set ATO Credentials.
Choose the option to browse to your keystore file.
Select the keystore-new.xml file from the destination folder and click Open.
From the Select Credential drop-down menu, select your credential.
Enter your keystore password and click OK.
Click OK again and restart HandiTax.
Log back into HandiTax.
Attempt a lodgment or prefill to confirm the setup is successful.
Tip: Setting the ATO credentials in the current HandiTax year updates the credentials for all previous SBR years.
Password behaviour in HandiTax
In HandiTax, the ATO keystore password does not persist after you close and reopen the application. This is by design to enhance security. When setting up your credentials:
Navigate to Lodgment, Set ATO Credential.
Browse to and open the active keystore file.
Select the credential and enter the password to complete the setup. After completing these steps, the password field will be blank the next time you open HandiTax. This ensures that sensitive information is not stored unnecessarily, reducing security risks.
Renewing an expired ATO Machine Credential
To renew an expired ATO machine credential in HandiTax, follow these steps:
Log in to Relationship Authorisation Manager (RAM): Use your credentials to access RAM and renew or create a new machine credential.
Download the Credential File: Once the credential is renewed or created, download the keystore XML file generated by RAM.
Update the Credential in HandiTax:
Open HandiTax and navigate to Lodgment, Set ATO Credentials.
Click the browse button (three dots) and select the new keystore XML file.
Enter your keystore password and save the changes.
Restart HandiTax: Close and reopen the software to ensure the changes take effect.
Locating the ATO Machine Credential file on Windows
If you need to locate the ATO machine credential file on your Windows system, here’s how:
Default Location: The file is typically stored in C:\Users\Username]\AppData\Roaming\ATOMAS.
Reveal Hidden Folders: If the AppData folder is hidden:
Open File Explorer.
Select View from the menu.
Click Show and enable Hidden Items to reveal hidden folders.
Search for the File: If you saved the file in a different location, use the search function on your PC (e.g., search the C:\ drive) to locate the keystore XML file.
Keystore file placement in HandiSoft
When transferring or setting up HandiSoft on a new computer, it is important to place the keystore file in an appropriate location. While it is not mandatory to use the exact same folder path as before, doing so can help maintain consistency. Here are some recommendations:
Place the keystore file in an easy-to-find location, such as directly under
C:\or in a clearly named folder.Avoid placing the file on the desktop to minimise the risk of accidental deletion.
Use the Browse function in HandiSoft to point to the location where the keystore file is saved. These practices ensure that the keystore file is both secure and easily accessible when needed.
Unable to select Set ATO Credentials
Ensure all users close all HandiSoft applications.
Open File Explorer and navigate to the HSoft\Apps folder.
Locate the configuration file for the HandiTax year you are having issues with, e.g., HT[yy].exe.Config.
Rename the file to HT[yy].exe.ConfigOLD.
Launch the HandiTax year you renamed the config file for, and go to Lodgment, Set ATO Credentials.
Select your keystore file, enter the keystore password, and confirm. HandiTax will recreate the required configuration file. If the "Set ATO Credentials" option is greyed out, ensure you are logged in with the supervisor password (not an operator) and verify that Practice Manager Security settings are not restricting access.
Additional Troubleshooting Tips
Always ensure you have the correct supervisor password to access restricted features.
Verify that Practice Manager Security settings are not blocking access to the Set ATO Credentials option.
If utilising the Supervisor/Operator password feature, staff using the Operator password will have limited visibility to some menu items.
Ensure you have the correct password used during the credential creation process. If forgotten, you may need to create a new credential.
File Not Found: Double-check the default location or use the search function to locate the file.
Credential Not Working: Verify that the credential is correctly uploaded in HandiTax and that the software has been restarted.