How to change your name with the ATO
Blog Updated: 6 April 2021
This blog will guide you through the process of changing your name with the Australian Tax Office (ATO).
The ATO is one of those entities, together with your bank, superannuation fund and Medicare, that should be notified when changing your name. When you submit your tax return and the names are not the same, there may be significant delays in finalising your return.
Fortunately, changing your name with the ATO is not difficult and there are 4 different ways to notify the ATO:
- Online via MyGov; or
- Over the phone; or
- Sending in a form; or
- Notify your tax agent if you are using one.
You will need to provide evidence of your name change and ATO will contact relevant agencies to establish authenticity of above documents. These documents may include:
- Australian full birth certificate
- Australian marriage certificate
- Australian name change certificate
Change names via myGov
This is most probably the easiest and fastest way.
Log in to myGov then select ATO as long as this is a linked service. (If not a linked service, then you need to link to ATO through myGov.)
From the top menu bar, select ‘My profile’, then ‘personal details’. Click the link for ‘update name and title’.
You can revert to a name previously registered with the ATO with no proof required. Otherwise select to update to a new name.
Select the document to upload and tick the box to allow ATO to check with issuing agency then follow the prompts.
You may have noticed under personal details that there is an option to update your date of birth. Such an interesting idea. I knew ATO has a lot of power but knocking 10 years off my age? Should be considered. If anyone tries it, let me know how you go.
Another point to note is that updating your name with ATO will also update in your myGov Profile but not with other myGov services.
To access myGov, click HERE
Change names with the ATO over the phone
You can notify the ATO about the change of name over the phone by calling 13 28 61 (8.00am–8.00pm Monday–Friday; 10.00am–2.00pm Saturday).
You will be asked to provide information to verify your identity.
Change names with the ATO by mail
Return the ‘ATO Change of Details for Individuals’ form with certified copies of the documents. The form is available for download from the ATO website or NamesPlus can send you a copy.
Whilst the ATO says it may take 28 days, in our experience it took longer. Also, you need “certified” copies of documents as documents mailed to ATO will not be returned, so do not mail original documents.
Notify your Tax Agents
You can notify your tax agent who may process the name change. I say “may” as when I spoke to my accountant, he said No! but mentioned myGov is easier.
For further information:
How to change name with Medicare
How to change name on driver’s licence
Also, please review our videos for further information on the name change process: Videos
For your free consult, please make a booking by following the instructions on: NamesPlus Home Page
