Section 75 — Social Security (Administration) Act 1999: Requesting tax file numbers

Persons who may be requested to provide tax file numbers (1) The Secretary may make a request under subsection (2), (3) or (4) of a person (the request recipient) in Australia who: (a) is making, or has made, a claim for a social security payment; or (b) is receiving a social security payment (other than utilities allowance or energy supplement under Part 2.25B of the 1991 Act); or (c) is making, or has made, a claim for a seniors health card, or a health care card that is income-tested for the request recipient; or (d) is the holder of a seniors health card, or a health care card that is income-tested for the request recipient. Requesting tax file number of request recipient (2) The Secretary may request, but not compel, the request recipient: (a) if the request recipient has a tax file number—to give the Secretary a written statement of the request recipient’s tax file number; or (b) if the request recipient does not have a tax file number: (i) to apply to the Commissioner of Taxation for a tax file number; and (ii) to give the Secretary a written statement of the request recipient’s tax file number after the Commissioner of Taxation has issued it. Requesting tax file number of request recipient’s partner (3) The Secretary may request, but not compel, the request recipient to give the Secretary a written statement of the tax file number of the request recipient’s partner if: (a) the request recipient is a member of a couple; and (b) the request recipient’s partner is in Australia. Requesting tax file number of other person whose income is relevant to request recipient’s rate of payment (4) If: (a) the request recipient: (i) is making, or has made, a claim for a social security payment; or (ii) is receiving a social security payment; and (b) the income of one or more other persons who are in Australia is required to be taken into account for the purpose of working out the rate of the social security payment; the Secretary may request, but not compel, the request recipient to give the Secretary a written statement of the tax file number of any one or more of those other persons.