UPDATING YOUR NAME WITH THE ATO
Updating your name with the ATO
If you need to lodge tax returns under a new name that is not
current on Australian Tax Office (ATO) records, the details will need to be
updated before your tax return is lodged. The ATO has issued instructions
regarding the steps necessary to change your name for Individuals and Sole
Traders.
You cannot change your name via the front page of the tax
return, as you have in the past. If you do not follow the procedure mentioned
below, processing of your tax return will be delayed by ATO.
You can do this by telephone or
online:
The quickest way to update your name is by using the online
services for individuals. All you need is a myGov account linked to the ATO.
Alternatively, you can call ATO to get this done quickly over
the phone.
Phone 13 28 61 between 8:00 am and 6:00 pm,
Monday to Friday, and ask to be transferred to ‘Personal Tax Enquiries’.
Whether you make the change online or by phone, make sure you
have your identity documents with you, as listed below. If the ATO are unable
to make the changes over the phone, they will provide you with details of other
options for updating your name.
Identity documents that can be
verified are:
- Australian
birth certificate (full certificate, not an extract)
- Australian
marriage certificate
- Australian
change of name certificate
Note: The ATO will verify the identity document details with the
agencies who issue them.
Non-residents can supply certified copies of original supporting
documents, as listed below. Documents must not be altered or amended in any
way. Documents that you mail to the ATO will not be returned to you – do not
mail original documents.
- overseas
passport
- overseas
birth certificate
- national
photo identification card
- overseas
government issued identification
- a
marriage certificate
- An
overseas driver’s licence.
If you are unable to contact the ATO by phone, you can download
and complete Change of
Details for Individuals Form by clicking here.
It can take up to 28 days to update your records after the
ATO receive the form.

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