I applied for a TFN on 15/11/2023 via post from the USA. I need it as I am a co-owner of an Australian company. To date, on 13/2/2024, I've received no correspondence whatever regarding my application. I've phoned the ATO but they were unwilling to help me as I couldn't provide them with my TFN, as I haven't received it. The only information I was able to glean after an hour spent on the phone was that the application was received and correspondence was sent, though it appears to have been lost in the post. They refused to even re-send the correspondence to the address on file. I even offered to identify myself using the same documents I used to identify myself in my original application, namely my passport and driving license, but these were all rejected.
What is one supposed to do who needs to obtain a TFN, but the ATO won't help them on any matter concerning the TFN application without providing a TFN? My business is left in limbo, as I can't obtain an ABN without the TFN. When submitting my application, I had to spend hundreds of dollars and an entire day travelling to another US state to obtain the certified copies of my identifying documents that Australia requires, as it is illegal in my home state to make certified copies. After all this, the ATO's position is "all we can do is nothing".
I do wish the ATO would make some provision for this kind of situation -- it's unbelievably frustrating. I can see no reason why in these circumstances the TFN correspondence could not be resent to the address already on file, without having to prove one's identity.
612 views
1 replies