What is a tax filing number in Australia?

Question

Does a UK person travelling there to work for a year need one?

If so, how do you go about getting one?

Answer 1

A tax file number is the same as an NI number in the UK. You legally have to have one to work and to get one have to prove that you are allowed to work. I can't remember how I got mine, I think I rang up and they took my details over the phone but it was nearly 10 years ago now. I've just googled it.... you can follow the instructions on this link http://www.ato.gov.au/individuals/content.asp?doc=/content/form_1432.10.99.htm

Answer 2

For working in Australia you will need the appropriate visa, a Tax File Number and a bank account. If you do not have a Tax File Number, you can still work but the level you will be taxed at will be A LOT more that if you have a number.
- go to http://www.ato.gov.au - follow the link for ‘individuals’ then ‘employment’.

Answer 3

A tax file number is something you will need to work in Australia. When I travelled and worked several years ago even fruit picking farms required this number.

Answer 4

This is from the Australian Taxation Office website.

http://www.ato.gov.au/SearchResults.asp?si=001%2F002&kw=tax+file+number&go.x=11&go.y=9

Tax file numbers (TFNs) - what are they?

Tax file numbers are issued by the Tax Office. We use your number to identify your tax records.

Everyone has a different tax file number. Your tax file number is yours for life, even if you change jobs, move interstate or change your name. If you leave the country and later come back to Australia, you still use the same tax file number.


Getting a tax file number.

There are three ways of applying for a tax file number (TFN), depending on whether you are:

1. a secondary school student
2. an Australian citizen (or a resident without work rights) who is not at school
3. an overseas visitor or student and you have a visa permitting you to work.

To obtain a tax file number you need to provide evidence of your identity to the Tax Office. If you rely on evidence of identity documents to do this, the documents must be unaltered originals. You will find a list of acceptable evidence-of-identity documents on the back of the tax file number application form.


For more info the ato home page web address is:
http://www.ato.gov.au/

Answer 5

You've got to get a tax file number. When I went I just went to the office in Sydney, filled out some paperwork and got my number about a week later in the post. You can apply for it online aswell with freespirit as far as I remember.

Answer 6

G'day, Definitely contact ATO directly. I have included a weblink for their contact number. Hope you'll get your TFN and able to claim back some tax returns. To do that, you will need a group certificate from your ex-employer and the Tax Agents will be able to help you from there. Good luck!