Obtaining a Tax File Number (TFN) for newly arrived refugee customer 005-02050010

For all refugee claimants, regardless if claiming ISP only and/or FTB, use the Australian Taxation Office Online Individual Auto Registration (IAR) tool. See Resources for a link.

Note: only one TFN application per customer is required, even if the customer is claiming both payment types.

Include the following information when submitting the request in the IAR tool:

• Identity documents include Department of Home Affairs Evidence of Immigration Status (EIS), Permanent Resident Evidence (PRE) or Australian Migration Status (AMS) ImmiCard
• Passport or travel document number. Key the customer's ImmiCard number with alpha characters exactly as they appear. For example, EIS******, PRE****** or AMS******
• Country of origin / Issue is the country of nationality on the document
• Name of client must be entered and spelling must be exactly as on the ImmiCard.
  Note: first, middle and surname on the ImmiCard must match the Centrelink record. This will enable the data link with ATO to update the TFN to the customer's record. If required, correct the name on the customer's record
• Date of birth must be entered exactly as stated on the ImmiCard
• If the following message is received, 'The information you have provided does not match that held by Department of Home Affairs. Please check the information you have entered is correct and try again'.
  Note: The following questions must be completed as shown for all claims to ensure the TFN is received electronically from the ATO. A TFN exemption code of 'CAT - TFN requested from ATO' can be applied to the ISP customer's TFN screen where the questions are completed
• Answer the question "Do you authorise the ATO to send your TFN to Centrelink?"
• If yes, enter the claimants Centrelink Customer Reference Number (CRN) - CRN - insert customer CRN.
  Note: use the customer CRN, not the partner's
• Submit the form and proceed through the pages by selecting Next
• Once the form is submitted, an ATO receipt number will generate:
• Print and attach the receipt to customer record. Use 'attach' and not 'scan' to ensure legible documents
• Add a Note in Process Direct to the customer record, including:
• TFN Receipt Number
• Date of TFN application

Note: try again later if the online IAR Tool is temporarily unavailable. For example, 'Site under maintenance' message.

Is the refugee customer claiming an income support payment (ISP) only?

• Yes:
• The ATO have up to 28 days to process the application and provide the TFN to the customer
• Procedure ends here. Return to Refugee entrant service offer
• No, go to Step 3

Is the refugee customer claiming FTB?

• Yes, TFN override escalation is required in all cases, otherwise the FTB claim cannot be granted. Go to Step 4
• No, procedure ends here
  

To escalate for FTB TFN override, Refugee servicing staff must:

• Attach identity documents for customers and children to record
• Complete the Families and Child Care Level 2 Policy Helpdesk TFN override web form. Use the FTB customer’s CRN and include the following details in the Enquiry Description box:
• Subject: Request Refugee FTB TFN Override
• Date of Arrival: (found on RSIM)
• Date of Visa Grant
• TFN application Receipt number as generated by the IAR Tool
• Date of TFN application
• If the partner is also requiring a TFN override, include the following:
• TFN application Receipt number as generated by the IAR Tool
• Date of TFN application
• After the TFN override is actioned, proceed with finalising the FTB claim for the refugee. See Refugee entrant service offer