Your TFN or Tax file number is a unique 9-digit number that has been issued to you as your personal reference number for tax and superannuation.
Once you have it, it remains the same for life.
But what if your TFN has been lost or stolen? Or, even worse, what if an unauthorised third party somehow gets access to it?
So here is what you should do in this case.
What should you do if your TFN is stolen or lost?
The first thing you must do in this case is inform the Australian Taxation office about it.
Even if you suspect that your TFN is being misused, you should phone the ATO’s client Identity support centre on 1800 467 033.
The client identity support centre can be contacted between 8.00 am and 6.00 pm, Monday to Friday. They work with people whose identities have either been stolen or misused.
You will be given information along with advice and assistance to re-establish your identity.
Need of TFN online
Your TFN will be required when you:
- Start a new job
- Lodge a tax return
- Apply for government benefits
- Apply for higher education loans
If you already have a Tax File Number (TFN), and you do not remember the number, you can find it online through the ATO online service.
What are the other ways to find your TFN?
If you need to locate your Tax File Number (TFN) and don’t have access to a myGov account, there are several alternative options. Your TFN can typically be found on:
- Your income tax notice of assessment (NOA), provided you have submitted a tax return.
- Correspondence from the tax office, such as a statement of account.
- A payment summary or income statement issued by your employer.
- Your superannuation account statement.
Additionally, if you work with a registered tax agent, they can also provide your TFN upon request.
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