A Tax File Number Declaration form is a form you complete and give to your employer when you start a new job in Australia. It is the document that tells your employer your TFN, your residency status for tax purposes, and whether you have a study and training support loan. Your employer uses this information to determine how much tax to withhold from your wages.
Why the form matters
Without this form on file, your employer cannot apply the correct tax rate to your wages. Until they have it, they are required to withhold at the maximum rate of 47%. Submitting the form promptly when you start work is one of the most important things you can do to make sure the correct 15% working holiday maker rate applies from your first pay.
How to fill it in as a working holiday maker
The form asks for your full name, date of birth, home address in Australia, and your TFN. For the residency section, working holiday visa holders should select the option indicating that they are a working holiday maker. This is the key selection that tells your employer to apply the 15% rate rather than the resident rates.
The form also asks whether you have a HELP or VSL debt from Australian study. For most working holiday makers, the answer is no.
Where to get the form
Your employer should provide you with the form when you start work. If they do not, you can download it from the ATO website. Once completed, you give it to your employer rather than sending it to the ATO yourself. Your employer keeps it on file and uses the information to set up your payroll correctly.
What if you change jobs
You need to complete a new Tax File Number Declaration form for every employer you work for. Your TFN does not transfer from one employer to another automatically. Give a new form to each employer from day one.
Need help?
Starting a new job? Make sure your whole tax setup is right.
We help working holiday makers apply for their TFN and make sure they are set up correctly for tax from day one. Get in touch and we will help.
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