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Deceased Estates: A new ATO notification process for executors and administrators

This bulletin explains the new requirements for formally notifying the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) after a taxpayer has passed away.

The Legal Personal Representative (LPR) – either the Executor named in the will (who has accepted the appointment) or a court-appointed Administrator of an Estate – must be added to the ATO records as an authorised contact before they handle a deceased’s tax affairs.

What has changed?

The ATO now requires LPRs to:

  • Notify the ATO of the death, and
  • Provide evidence of authority to act, by way of certified or original copies of a will, probate grant or letters of administration.

Two ways to notify the ATO and verify your role as executor

1) Online form + Australia Post identity check

The tax agent or LPR completes the ATO’s online notification form, which then needs to be printed and taken to a participating Australia Post branch within 30 days of completion.

The Australia Post branch must deal with ‘ATO individual TFN Services’. You can check which branches offer this service on the Australia Post website.

At the Australia Post branch, the LPR must also present the following hard copy documents (either originals, or certified copies):

  • Proof of identity for the LPR
  • Grant of Probate / Letters of Administration

If Probate or Letters of Administration have not been obtained, the second option, outlined below, is the most efficient approach.

Online form link: https://identityservice.auspost.com.au/atoforms/nodp/landing

2) Paper form lodged by mail

Alternatively, the tax agent or LPR completes a paper form and mails it to the ATO, attaching certified copies of the following sets of documents:

  • If Probate or Letters of Administration have not yet been obtained:
    • A certified copy of the death certificate, and
    • A certified copy of the deceased’s last will and testament.
  • If Probate or Letters of Administration have been obtained:
    • A certified copy of the grant issued by the relevant court.

This option is suitable for less complex estates which may not require Probate or Letters of Administration in order to deal with the Deceased’s assets, or where an Executor has not yet obtained Probate.

Need help with a deceased estate?

If you’re acting as the Executor or Administrator of a Deceased Estate, Accru Felsers can guide you through the process to notify the ATO of Deceased’s passing and that you are managing the Estate. Additionally, we can assist with preparing outstanding tax returns for the deceased person, preparing any returns required for the Estate, and helping you to identify assets of the deceased based off data reported to the ATO.

Please reach out through the contact form, or by calling us at 02 8226 1655.

Important Information – General Advice Disclaimer:

The information provided in this communication is general in nature and does not take into account your personal objectives, financial situation, or needs. Before acting on any information, you should consider its appropriateness in relation to your own circumstances and seek independent financial advice where necessary. We recommend consulting a licensed financial adviser before making any investment or financial decisions. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.

About the Author
Harrison Mendes
Harrison is passionate about breaking down complex tax and compliance requirements into clear, actionable advice. Known for his perceptive thinking and ability to anticipate client needs, Harrison takes a proactive and transparent approach to advisory. He values accuracy, open communication, and building lasting client relationships. Harrison's work in the Deceased Estates area has included providing advice on cross-border taxation matters, applying for Private Binding Rulings from the ATO, and assisting Executors of non-resident estates.