A Tax File Number (TFN) is like a fingerprint – it’s unique to you. Once you are issued a TFN it is yours for life, regardless of whether you change jobs or move countries. A TFN is used for all your tax records, as well as many other documents.
Partnerships, trusts and companies are required to have a separate TFN to individual TFNs. This is because partnerships and companies pay tax at a different rate to individuals. If you are a sole trader, you must use your own TFN when required to for business tax matters. This is because sole traders are taxed at the individual rate.
However. we understand that sometimes things happen resulting in you losing, misplacing or forgetting your TFN. There are ways in which you can recover this from the ATO, which we will detail below.
How to Find out your Tax File Number?
Here are 5 ways to find out your TFN, should you ever need to relocate it.
1. Contact the ATO
For a direct approach, you can contact the ATO. The ATO can be reached via the number 13 28 61 between the hours 8.00am to 6.00pm, Monday to Friday. Just be prepared with your ABN or some form of identification.
If you don’t have an ABN, the ATO will require you to provide proof of identity.
2. Follow the documents
You can often find your TFN by locating the documents which state it. Your TFN will be on documents such as:
- Your income tax ‘notice of assessment’
- Any correspondence sent to you by the ATO
- Any payment summary you received while under employment at any stage of your working life
- Account statements from your superannuation fund
Further, payslips from your employer may also state your TFN.
3. Paperwork
Another way to find out your TFN is to fill out a form that the ATO provides. However, just be aware that the ATO will only process the bona fide paperwork that it provides taxpayers, therefore you may need to order a hard copy of the form. Should you need to do this you can find the form on the ATO’s ‘online ordering’ page.
4. Contact your agent
If you have used a tax agent or an accountant in the past, your can request from their records.
Finding out your Tax File Number is much easier than it seems. Individuals have many options so choose the one most convenient.
5. Log in to your myGov account
The current has introduced an online platform which you can link to the government services you use. Some examples of this include Medicare and Centrelink. You can also link your myGov account to the ATO and access your assessments, tax returns and TFN in minutes.
Don’t know where to start? Contact a LawPath consultant on 1800 529 728 to learn more about customising legal documents and obtaining a fixed-price quote from Australia’s largest legal marketplace.
