CLIENT QUESTION:
If someone steals my Tax File Number (TFN) what can they do with it?
OUR ANSWER:
Stealing a TFN is an act of identity theft. Your TFN is used in your dealings with the tax office, a stolen TFN may be used to:
- Avoid paying tax, child support or higher education loan repayment
- Apply for a government benefit
- Steal your superannuation
Only certain people are entitled to ask for your TFN including the Tax Office, Centrelink, your superannuation fund, bank or financial
institution, and your employer (but only after you have started working for
them). Your TFN should never be used to establish or confirm your identity with
other organisations.
ANSWERED BY SURESH
RAJANI
Suresh Rajani is
the Business Leader at Tax First - an
accounting and business advisory firm located in Wayville, South
Australia.
