Everything you need to know about the Australian Tax File Number (TFN)

Filling out the TFN declaration for an employer

As a new employee, you will have to complete a Tax File Number declaration form. Never complete this before you’re officially hired!

You will have 28 days from the date you start working to give the TFN declaration form to your employer. If you don’t provide your TFN within this timeframe, you will pay a lot more tax.

Here is a TFN declaration form example. You have to fill out the “Payee” section and your employer has to fill out the “payer” section.

Notes:

• If you don’t have a TFN yet, tick “I have made a separate application/enquiry to the ATO for a new or existing TFN.” Leave the TFN number field blank for now.
• Your personal details (first and last names, date of birth) must match the info on your passport.
• Ask your employer to give you the info for question 7: “On what basis are you paid?”
• Tick “A working holiday maker” for question 8.
• For question 9: “Do you want to claim the tax-free threshold from this payer?”, most employees tick “no.”
• For question 10: “Do you have a Higher Education Loan Program […] or Trade Support Loan (TSL) debts?”, most working holiday makers should tick “no.”

Keeping your TFN secure

Your TFN is your personal reference number in the tax system, and it’s part of your identity. You shouldn’t share your TFN information with too many people because you could potentially expose yourself to identity theft.

Only certain individuals, organisations or agencies can ask you for your TFN, including:

• the ATO
• your employer
• banks and other financial institutions
• the Department of Human Services
• superannuation funds and retirement savings account providers

Do not provide your TFN:

• when you want to rent a flat or buy a car
• when you’re not formally hired (i.e. as part of the general job hunt process or before any formal employment offer)
• when you register as a student (e.g. if you take language classes)

For more info, read Your tax file number.