Application for a Tax File Number (TFN) 106-26042904

Note: Services Australia accepts TFN application forms on behalf of the ATO, regardless of age and whether the applicant is a Centrelink customer or not.

Where a member of the public enquires about applying for a TFN, Service Officers should provide information on the different options available. This information is also available on the ATO website.

Service Officers can direct the public to self service computers to complete online application options where suitable.

Where a member of the public requests to lodge a TFN paper application in person at a service centre, Service Officers must follow the steps outlined in this process. Where there is not a suitable paper application method, Service Officers should make the person aware of the correct online option.

If a customer is unsure whether they already have a Tax File Number, tell them:

• to contact the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) Individual enquiries line or Indigenous helpline
• they can fill out an application form, however the ATO may not always share the TFN with Centrelink. In these cases, the customer will need to tell Centrelink after they receive the TFN

Individuals can apply for a TFN online or by paper depending on their circumstances. Before staff give advice, review the options to ensure the applicant uses the correct form.

See Obtaining and coding a Tax File Number (TFN) for details.

• Tax file number – application or enquiry for individuals (NAT 1432)
  • Service centres are required to have appropriate stock of this form which can be ordered using the Product Ordering Portal (POP)
• Tax file number – application for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people (NAT 1589)
  • Service centres can download this form directly from the Forms Intranet page
  • Customers and staff can download from the ATO Publication Ordering Service
• Tax file number – application or enquiry for individuals living outside Australia (NAT 2628)
  • Customers and staff can download this form directly from the ATO website

Legislation requires TFN details to be recorded for a Centrelink customer and partner (if applicable) when claiming certain payments or Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (CSHC).

Limited circumstances exist where a Centrelink customer or partner may be either temporarily or permanently exempt from this requirement.

Where there is evidence of an appropriate TFN application being lodged, and authorisation has been given for the ATO to share the TFN with Centrelink, a CAT exemption can be applied.

See Tax File Number (TFN) exemptions and Manual Follow-up (MFU) actions for more details.

ATO proof of identity documents differ to Identity Confirmation documents needed for Centrelink payments and services.

If an applicant does not have enough identity documents for ATO requirements, see Process page.

For a list of ATO identity codes and accepted document types, see the Resources page.