Please assist me in locating my lost tax identification number.

In order to be employed in Australia, you are required to have a Tax File Number (TFN), which you must provide to each employer. Your unique identification in the Australian tax and superannuation systems is represented by a nine-digit personal number known as a TFN. You will never lose access to this number.

If you want to apply for government benefits, get a job, or obtain an Australian Business Number (ABN), you are going to need a Tax File Number (TFN). If you don't have a TFN, your employer is required to deduct the highest possible amount of tax from your pay, regardless of whether or not you fall into a higher or lower tax bracket. Find information on your tax rate at the margin as well as any tax offsets here.

How to Apply for a Taxpayer Identification Number

It does not cost anything to submit an application for a TFN. Because the task at hand is very simple, you shouldn't fall for the trap of believing that you need to pay someone else to complete it for you. At any age, you are able to submit an application for a TFN.

Your current residency status will determine how you submit your application for a Tax File Number (TFN). If you are a holder of a foreign passport, a migrant or a temporary visitor to Australia, or if you are living outside of Australia, you must follow a different procedure.

You can apply for your TFN through your MyGov account if you are an Australian resident who is over the age of 15, or you can apply for it through a branch of Australia Post, through a Services Australia center, or by sending in form 777 by post. If you are a resident of Australia and would like to apply for your TFN, click here.

Read more about the procedure in our blog post titled "What Is a Tax File Number?" if you are interested in the specifics.

In order to apply for a TFN, you are going to need some kind of identification. Following the completion of the application process, your TFN should be sent to you within 28 days. If you do not receive your TFN, you can get assistance from your ITP Tax Accountant or by calling the ATO at 13 28 61. If you are still having trouble, the tax accountant from ITP will assist you.

CONVERSE TODAY WITH ONE OF ITP'S FRIENDLY TAX ACCOUNTANTS

Maintain the safety of your TFN.

We are unable to place enough emphasis on the significance of protecting your TFN. There are only a select few people and locations that are able to inquire about your TFN, including the following:

• Your authorized tax preparer and accounting professional
• The ATO
• Centrelink
• your financial institution, be it a bank or other
• your new employer once you have started working for them
• your super fund

Tax Tip: Protect the Confidentiality of Your TFN You are not allowed to discuss it with anyone who is not on the above list, not even your close friends.

I've Misplaced My TFN.

If you've lost your TFN, don't stress It is possible to get it back in some way. Your first step should be to get in touch with your tax preparer because they will have it on record. They will also give it to you because they recognize you as their customer and you will have given it to them in order to file your tax return. This is another reason why they will give it to you.

Alternately, you can contact the ATO by calling 13 28 61. You will be put through a series of qualifying questions so that the person can accurately identify you. It is possible that you will be asked to provide a voiceprint, which is an additional security measure that can be used to identify you.

You can create a voice print for yourself in case you end up needing it in the near or distant future. Before you can register your voiceprint with the ATO over the phone, you will be required to provide your tax file number (TFN). You will be required to repeat after the prompt the phrase "In Australia, my voice identifies me" three times. This recording is used to determine who you are based on your voice. You will then be required to provide additional information to verify your identity. After you have finished answering the questions, your voiceprint will be complete, and you will be able to use it to verify your identity whenever you call the ATO in the future.

Tax Insider Tip: If you have reason to believe that someone has stolen your TFN, you should immediately contact either your tax agent at 1800 367 487 or the ATO at 1800 467 033.

There are a variety of other places you can look to find your TFN if you are unable to locate it. Your TFN will be contained in:

• tax returns from the prior year's filings
• your income statement
• correspondence coming from the Tax Office
• your superannuation account

It is in your best interest to store in a secure location any documentation that contains your TFN. Scammers are able to do the following with your TFN:

• You are free to access your bank account.
• login to your MyGovernment account.
• steal your superannuation
• make fraudulent self manager super fund registrations
• Apply for and receive benefits from the government.
• sell your home
• commit fraud in your name
• commit fraudulent BAS adjustments for your business
• sell your identity to various criminal organizations.

If someone steals your identity, it is extremely difficult and may take a very long time to put things back to normal. If someone steals your identity, it will be difficult for you to get a new job, rent a house, apply for government services or benefits, or open a bank account or credit card.

Learn how to protect your company and income from con artists by reading this.

Yes, This Is a Tax Tip! If you read the list, you will notice that the expenses you incur to manage your tax affairs are deductible from your taxes. Not only do you get

If you have received any emails or documents that contain your TFN, you should immediately and permanently delete your email and destroy any documents. Never give anyone else access to your passwords for your online accounts, and under no circumstances should you ever send your TFN, passwords, or any other sensitive financial information in an email.

Last Pass is a free personal password protection program that can store all of your online passwords and keep them secure across all of your devices. Remembering just one password for Last Pass is all that's required to gain access to all of your other passwords. There is a free option, a paid option for families, and a paid option for businesses.

Be aware that scammers can piece together your virtual identity even if it was made across a number of posts or by accessing the information from your account. They get this information by using the information that you provide on your social media accounts. You should avoid posting things like your tax file number (TFN), financial information, birth dates, addresses, photos that contain identifying information, or information about your MyGov account on social media. Be selective about the people whose friend requests you accept, and make sure your profile is set to private.

Security Measures for Computers

Anti-virus software is an absolute necessity in the modern world, in which almost everything exists in some form of digital representation. Make sure that your anti-virus software, software that prevents malware and spyware, and firewall are all up to date, and that your firewall is turned on. It is best to refrain from entering personal information on websites that are not secure or that you are unsure of. If you are unsure of the source of an email or a text message's link, it is best to refrain from clicking on the link.

Tax Expert's Tip: If you are still unsure, use the advice and services of a registered tax agent to help you with your taxes as well as other services, or contact the ATO directly. If you are still unsure, use the advice and services of a registered tax agent. ITP Accounting Professionals are members of the Tax Practitioners Board and hold the status of registered tax agents. For the past half a century, they have assisted individuals and companies in Australia with their tax concerns. Your ITP Tax Accountant will be able to assist you in locating your TFN in the event that you have misplaced it. Dial 1800 367 487 to have a pleasant conversation with a helpful professional today.