Reconstructing your tax records
If your records have been damaged, destroyed or lost, there are a number of ways you can reconstruct them.
On this page:
Documents we hold
We can re-issue or supply copies of tax documents such as:
- tax returns
- income statements and payment summaries
- activity statements
- notices of assessment.
If you have lost your tax file number (TFN), phone us on 1800 806 218. We will use other information to verify your identity, such as your:
- date of birth
- address details
- bank account details.
Documents you can access in ATO online services
The quickest and easiest way to access and print copies of your tax documents is by using our online services linked via myGovExternal Link. You can review and print your:
- lodged tax returns from 2010 onward
- notice of assessments from 2010 onward
- income statements, if your employer reports through Single Touch Payroll (STP)
- lodged activity statements (sole traders only).
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Documents held by others
Your employer or payer should have copies of your payment summaries. Your bank should be able to provide you with bank records.
If your employer reports your income and super information through STP, you can access a copy of your income statement through ATO online services via myGov.
Your registered agent may also have copies of your records.
Your bank may charge you a fee for replacing bank records and providing any other information or service to help you to reconstruct records. You can claim a deduction in the income year that those fees are charged.
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Substantiating your claims
If you are unable to substantiate claims made in your tax returns or activity statements because your records have been lost or destroyed, we can accept the claim without substantiation if it is not reasonably possible to obtain the original documents.
Self-managed super funds
If you have a self-managed super fund (SMSF), you have to keep certain records. If you have lost these records we will consider a request for additional time to meet your reporting obligations. Where possible, we will make available information that your SMSF previously reported.
For superannuation enquiries phone us on 13 10 20.
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We can help you reconstruct your tax records if you're an individual, in business, a registered agent or responsible for a self-managed super fund, and your records have been damaged, destroyed or lost.