How to Find Your TFN or Apply For a New One
Navigate the essentials of your Australian tax identity. Discover the straightforward steps to manage your unique tax reference number.
A Tax File Number (TFN) is a unique personal reference number for managing tax and government dealings within Australia. It serves as a crucial identifier for individuals engaging with the Australian tax system and various government services. Understanding how to locate an existing TFN or apply for a new one helps ensure smooth financial operations and compliance with Australian regulations. This number is a permanent identifier that remains with you throughout your life.
What a Tax File Number Is
A Tax File Number (TFN) is a distinct nine-digit personal reference number issued by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) for tax and superannuation purposes. It helps the ATO accurately track income, tax payments, and superannuation contributions, ensuring proper tax withholding and reporting. It is also required for accessing government benefits, lodging tax returns, and managing investment accounts.
How to Locate Your Existing TFN
Your TFN is typically printed on income tax notices of assessment issued by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). Payslips from current or previous employment and annual income statements (PAYG summaries) are common places where your TFN may be listed. Superannuation statements provided by your super fund usually include your TFN in the account details section. Correspondence received directly from the ATO, such as letters or previous tax returns, can also contain your TFN.
If you have a myGov account linked to the ATO, you can access your TFN online by signing in, selecting the Australian Taxation Office service, and navigating to the “Personal Details” or “My Profile” section. This requires verifying your tax record by answering specific questions. For those who have engaged a tax agent, their records would also contain your TFN.
How to Apply for a New TFN
Applying for a new Tax File Number (TFN) is a straightforward process and is free of charge, with the method depending on your residency status. Australian residents, including citizens and those residing for tax purposes, can apply online. If you are at least 15 years old and hold an Australian passport, the quickest way to apply is online using a Digital ID like myID.
Residents without an Australian passport can complete an online application and verify their identity in person at a participating Australia Post outlet. This involves printing an application summary and presenting original identity documents, such as a birth certificate, driver’s license, or passport, within 30 days of online submission. Foreign passport holders, permanent migrants, and temporary visitors already in Australia with valid work rights can also apply for a TFN online, typically needing their passport details and an Australian postal address. Individuals living outside Australia who derive income from an Australian source may apply using a paper form, which must be downloaded, completed, and mailed with certified copies of identity documents.
Further Steps if You Cannot Locate Your TFN
If you have exhausted all personal documents and online methods, contacting the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) directly is the next step to recover your TFN. You can phone the ATO’s individuals line to request your existing TFN. When contacting the ATO, be prepared to answer identity verification questions based on your tax records and personal information. The ATO may also ask to confirm details from identity documents like your driver’s license, Medicare card, or passport.