Most TFN applications are processed within 28 days. If that time has passed and your letter has not arrived, there are a few things to check before contacting the ATO.
Check your address first
The most common reason for a delayed TFN is a problem with the Australian address provided in the application. If there was a typo in the street name, postcode, or unit number, the letter may have been sent to the wrong address or returned to the ATO as undeliverable. Go back to the confirmation email you received when you submitted your application and double-check the address that was recorded.
If the address was correct and you have simply moved since submitting the application, the letter may have been delivered to your old address. In that case, contact whoever is currently at that address to see if the letter arrived there.
Check that 28 days have actually passed
The 28-day processing window starts from the date your application was received by the ATO, not the date you submitted it. Online applications are generally received the same day, but it is worth confirming the date on your confirmation email before assuming there is a problem.
Contact the ATO directly
If 28 days have passed, the address was correct, and no letter has arrived, contact the ATO by phone. Have your reference number from the confirmation email ready, along with your passport number and visa details. The ATO can check the status of your application and tell you whether your TFN has been issued.
If your TFN has already been issued but the letter was lost, the ATO can arrange for your TFN to be provided to you through a verified process. They will not simply read it out over the phone to an unverified caller, so be prepared to verify your identity.
Continuing to work during the delay
While you are waiting, you can continue working. Let your employer know your TFN is on the way and show them your application confirmation email. Once your TFN is resolved, give it to your employer immediately with a completed Tax File Number Declaration form, and any overpaid tax from the waiting period can be reclaimed through your tax return.
Need help?
Need help sorting your TFN?
We deal with TFN applications every day and know how to handle delays and complications. Get in touch and we will help you work out what is going on.
Get in touch →Keep reading →
What is a TFN and why do you need one in Australia?
A Tax File Number is the first thing you need when you start working in Australia. Without one, your employer must withhold nearly half your pay.