There are many ways to contact us for help with tax and super.
If you need additional support to contact us, see accessibility.
Call wait times
We receive a high volume of calls at tax time that can lead to longer than usual wait times. The best time to lodge your return is from late July, when most of your information is pre-filled into your tax return. We apologise for this inconvenience and thank you for your patience.
Try our self-serve options to save time. Many calls can be managed using ATO online including myTax, ATO app or our self-help phone services.
If you don’t want to wait, here are some other ways you can find information quickly:
- Answers to top call centre questions
- Find solutions on ATO Community
- Save time with myGov
- Self-help services
- Speak with a customer service representative.
Answers to top call centre questions
Find quick answers to the top questions we're receiving at the call centre. We regularly update this information based on calls we receive.
Visit Top call centre questions.
Find solutions on ATO Community
Find answers to questions people have asked about tax and super on ATO Community. For information you can rely on, look for answers marked 'ATO certified response'.
The most common things people are asking about on ATO Community right now, with certified answers, are:
- How do I find my tax file number?External Link
- How much tax should I pay on a second job?External Link
- Do I need to pay tax on cryptocurrency?External Link
- What are the tax consequences of receiving money as a gift?External Link
- What’s the best way of linking my myGov account to the ATO?External Link
- How do I set up a payment plan?External Link
If you can't find what you're looking for, you can also ask your own questionExternal Link.
Go online
Link your myGov account to the ATO so you can manage and view your tax and super online. This is free and available to everyone.
The most popular things to do on ATO online services are:
Other ways to contact us:
- Live chat (Currently for myTax only)
- Social media and online forums
- In writing
- In person
Self-help services
If we are required to access your account, you will need your tax file number (TFN) or Australian business number (ABN) ready when you phone our self-help services, except if you are requesting your existing TFN.
Self-help service | What you can do | Phone number |
|---|---|---|
Individuals | Check the progress of your tax return Apply for refund of franking credits Request your existing tax file number Check the progress of your compassionate release of super application | |
Business | Lodge your:
Ask about the progress of your lodgments | |
Publications | Order ATO publications and forms, including individual tax return instructions and forms. |
Speak with a customer service representative
On Australian national public holidays our contact centres are closed throughout Australia. With state public holidays, only those states affected will be closed.
Before we can discuss your details or update your records, you must establish your identity.
Establish your identity
We need to establish your identity before discussing or updating your tax record or one you're authorised for. We'll ask you questions based on information we hold about you, including information from third parties and other government departments. This may include:
- details from letters or notices we have issued to you
- information you have provided us such as details from a tax return
- details from accounts you hold with us such as payment or refund amounts
- information related to your interactions with us
- details of your employment, superannuation or investments you hold.
We may also ask to confirm details of identity documents such as your driver licence, Medicare card or passport.
We recommend you have your tax file number (TFN) or Australian business number (ABN) ready when you phone us.
To save time, we recommend you use voice authentication for a fast and secure way to verify your identity over the phone. When you phone us, ask to enrol your unique voiceprint. If you enrol, you can then use your voice to verify your identity for future calls.
Operating hours
Our busiest days are Mondays, so consider calling later in the week. If the time is not listed as Australian Eastern Daylight Saving Time (AEDT), it is local time.
Enquiry type | Phone number | Operating hours |
|---|---|---|
Business enquiries:
More information:
| 8:00 am to 6:00 pm
| |
Compliance activity call-back line You can only use this number if someone from the ATO contacted you and asked you to phone us back. The ATO staff member will give you a PIN that you must enter when prompted. This will ensure you are directed to the right customer service representative. | 8:00 am to 5:00 pm | |
Emergency Support line for assistance due to a crisis or disaster | 8:00 am to 6:00 pm | |
Foreign Investment enquiries Before phoning us, see information about how to contact us about foreign investment
| 8:00 am to 6:00 pm | |
Identity theft – if you think your TFN has been stolen or misused More information:
| 8:00 am to 6:00 pm (AEDT) | |
Indigenous Helpline for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples | 8:00 am to 6:00 pm | |
Individual enquiries
More information:
| 8:00 am to 6:00 pm
| |
International GST enquiries
| 8:00 am to 5:00 pm (AEDT) | |
| 8:00 am to 6:00 pm
| |
Lodgment support (call-back line) – if we reach out to you to offer help, you can call us back on this number. Only phone this number if we contact you by phone, SMS or letter. For general enquiries use our Lodge and Pay line. If we phone you, you won't see a number on caller ID. | 8:00 am to 6:00 pm | |
National Relay Service (NRS) – If you have difficulty hearing or speaking to people who use a phone, you can contact us through the NRS. There are two easy steps:
More information:
| Phone us using the National Relay Service (NRS) call numbersExternal Link | 8:00 am to 6:00 pm |
Not-for-profit organisations | 8:00 am to 6:00 pm | |
Overseas enquiries – myGov | 8:00 am to 6:00 pm | |
8:00 am to 5:00 pm (AEDT) | ||
Overseas enquiries – non-English speakers If you would like to speak in a language other than English, phone the Translating and Interpreting service (TIS National) on +61 3 9268 8332External Link and request to be connected to the ATO in the language you wish to speak in. More information:
| 8:00 am to 6:00 pm | |
Payment support (call-back line) – if we reach out to you to offer help, you can phone us back on this number. Only phone these numbers if we contact you by phone, SMS or letter. For general enquiries use our Lodge and Pay line. If we phone you, you won't see a number on caller ID. | or | 8:00 am to 6:00 pm |
Registered tax professionals More information:
| 8:00 am to 6:00 pm
| |
Report a scam More information:
| 8:00 am to 6:00 pm | |
8:00 am to 6:00 pm | ||
Small Business Superannuation Clearing House (SBSCH) | 8:00 am to 6:00 pm | |
Suggestions, feedback, compliments or complaints |
| 8:00 am to 6:00 pm |
Superannuation enquiries:
More information:
| 8:00 am to 6:00 pm | |
Switchboard | 8:00 am to 5:00 pm | |
Tip-off Hotline More information:
| 8:00 am to 6:00 pm | |
Translating and interpreting service for people from non-English speaking backgrounds More information:
| 8:00 am to 6:00 pm |