Tax file number approvals

Information about tax file number approvals (TFNs) for Registrable Superannuation Entities (RSE) licensees.

TFN approval instruments

APRA has made revised TFN approvals in 2017 under Part 25A of the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993 (SIS Act) and Part 11 of the Retirement Savings Accounts Act 1997 (RSA Act).

For more information about collecting TFNs see Tax file numbers - frequently asked questions.

Tax file number approval under Part 25A of the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act

Part 25A of the SIS Act includes requirements about the collection and use of members' tax file numbers (TFNs) by trustees of superannuation funds and approved deposit funds. It requires that TFNs be quoted in a manner approved by APRA

Tax File Number Approval No.1 of 2017 under Part 25A of the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993

The Explanatory Statement is available via the Approval link above.

Tax file number approval under Part 11 of the Retirement Savings Accounts Act

Part 11 of the RSA Act contains requirements regarding the collection and use of RSA holders' tax file numbers (TFNs) by RSA providers. It requires that TFNs be quoted in a manner approved by APRA.

Tax File Number Approval No. 1 of 2017 under Part 11 of the Retirement Saving Accounts Act 1997

The Explanatory Statement is available via the Approval link above.

Tax file number obligations

For more information about our tax file number obligations:

Privacy (Tax File Number) Rule 2015
Office of the Australian Information Commissioner on:
- Tax File Numbers (TFN rule, guidance material, taxation legislation and TFN related functions)
- Classes of lawful tax file number recipients

Australian Taxation Office - Tax File Numbers (apply for, update, lost or stolen TFNs, identity theft, penalties)

Tax file number penalties

The list below is provided in accordance with subparagraph 13(1)(d) of the Privacy (Tax File Number) Rule 2015. The list identifies 'prohibitions on the collection, recording, use and disclosure of TFN information', and the potential associated penalties.

See section 4AA of the Crimes Act 1914 for the current value of the penalty unit.

Prohibitions on the collection, recording, use and disclosure of tax file number information, and the potential associated penalties
Act	Section	Penalty
Privacy Act 1988	3.13(4) interference with privacy of an individual s. 13G serious and repeated interference with privacy s. 36(1) complaints	not exceeding 2,000 penalty units
Retirement Saving Accounts Act 1997	s. 137 obligation to destroy tax file numbers	not exceeding 100 penalty units
Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993	ss. 299H, 299J and 299L obligations to destroy tax file numbers	100 penalty units
Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993	s.299N Trustee of regulated exempt public sector superannuation scheme may inform RSA provider of other trustee of tax file number for certain purposes	not exceeding 100 penalty units
Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993	s. 299Y Trustee of former regulated exempt public sector superannuation scheme to destroy records of tax file numbers	100 penalty units s.2 50 penalty units s.3
Tax Administration Act 1953	s.8AW unauthorised requirement etc that tax file number be quoted s. 8WB unauthorised recording etc of tax file number	100 penalty units or imprisonment for two years or both