RE: APPLYING FOR A DIRECTOR IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
I
am writing to you to let you know about new legislation that requires all directors of Australian companies
to have a director identification number (DIN).
You
will need to apply for a DIN if you are a company director. This includes if
you are director of your SMSF corporate trustee or family trust.
You will also need to apply for a DIN if you are acting
in the capacity of an alternate director, even if you are appointed for a
specified period or a temporary basis.
What is a DIN?
A DIN is a unique 15-digit identifier that a
director will apply for once and will keep forever. A director can only have
one DIN that they must use for all companies.
The purpose of introducing DINs is to prevent the
use of fictitious director identities, assist regulators trace directors’
relationships with companies and better identify directors involved in unlawful
activity.
When do I need to apply for a DIN?
When you must apply for a DIN depends
on the date you became a director.
The table below summarises the key dates of when you need to apply for a DIN.
Date you were appointed a
director
|
Date you must apply for a
DIN
|
On or before 31 October
2021
|
By 30 November 2022
|
Between 1 November 2021
and 4 April 2022
|
Within 28 days of
appointment
|
From 5 April 2022
|
Before appointment
|
How do I apply for a DIN?
Unfortunately, we are unable
to apply for a DIN on your behalf. You must apply for your own DIN to verify
your identity. We can however assist you by advising you of the steps and
timelines involved.
Firstly you will need to visit
the ABRS website (abrs.gov.au).
Click on “Director
identification number” near the top of the homepage:
or
scroll down to “Apply for your
director ID”
Follow the 3-step process set
out on the website, being:
Step 1 – Set-up a myGovID
You will need a myGovID with a
standard or strong identity strength using two Australian identity documents,
such as:
‒
Driver’s licence
or learner’s permit
‒
Passport
‒
Birth certificate
‒
Visa (using
foreign passport providing still in Australia)
‒
Citizenship
certificate
‒
ImmiCard
‒
Medicare card
If you already have a myGovID
go to Step 2.
Tip – myGovID is different from myGov
myGovID is an app. You download the myGovID app to
your smart device. It lets you prove who you are and log in to a range of
government online services, including myGov.
myGov is an account. Your myGov account lets you
link to and access online services provided by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO),
Centrelink, Medicare and more.
Step 2 – Gather the documents
required for identification
You will need to have some
information the ATO knows about you when you apply for your DIN.
You will need to complete a
‘proof of ATO record ownership’ (PORO) by providing:
‒
Your tax file
number (TFN)
‒
Your residential
address as held by the ATO
‒
Information from
two documents to verify your identity
Examples of the documents you
can use to verify your identity include:
‒
Bank account
details
‒
An ATO notice of
assessment
‒
Super account
details
‒
A dividend
statement
‒
A Centrelink
payment summary
‒
PAYG payment
summary
Step 3 – Complete your
application
Once you have a myGovID with a
standard or strong identity strength, and information to verify your identity,
you can log in and apply for your DIN:
Your myGovID details and ATO
details will be prefilled and all you need to do is enter your place of birth,
postal address, mobile number, any former names and complete the declaration.
The application process should
take less than 5 minutes and once complete, you will instantly receive your
DIN.
Tip – if you are a director and living overseas, you
can still apply online if you can verify your identity with myGovID.
How do I apply for a DIN if I cannot get a myGovID?
If you can’t get a myGovID
with a standard or strong identity strength, you can apply by phone or with a
paper form.
You can apply by phone if you
have:
‒
An Australian TFN
‒
The information
needed to verify your identity (as listed above)
The phone number is 13 62 50
and is available between 8:00am and 6:00pm Monday to Friday for directors in
Australia. For directors calling from overseas, the number is
+61 2 6216 3440.
If you can’t apply online or
over the phone, you can apply using a downloadable form ‘Application
for a director identification number’ (NAT 75329). This is a slower process and you will also need to
provide certified copies of your documents to verify your identity.
Don’t get caught out
All directors should apply for their DIN before the
relevant deadline. Failure to comply with the new DIN requirements or providing
false or misleading information may result in both civil and criminal
penalties.
Please also take care when applying for your DIN. Only
apply via the abrs.gov.au website as it is a secure site that will keep your
information safe.
Please
feel free to contact me if you need any assistance with applying for your DIN
or understanding your DIN obligations.
Yours
sincerely,
Gulshan
Ahuja
Comments
Post a Comment