What should you do if you lose your TFN?

If you lose your TFN (Tax File Number), the appropriate action is to contact the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) for assistance in recovering it. The ATO has the necessary resources and protocols in place to verify your identity and provide you with your TFN information securely. This ensures that you can continue to manage your tax obligations without disruption.

Attempting to ignore the issue or waiting for your employer to reach out may lead to complications in your tax affairs, including delays in processing your tax returns or issues related to your paycheck. Requesting a new TFN from your employer is not standard practice; the TFN is issued by the ATO and not by employers. Lastly, notifying the bank to block transactions is not relevant in this case, as your TFN primarily relates to tax identification and does not directly control bank transactions. Therefore, contacting the ATO is the most effective and appropriate course of action if you lose your TFN.