George: “Father asked for a doctor’s letter to prove he was… a father?”

George approached us after receiving conflicting advice from the ATO about how he could be added as an authorised contact for his 12‑year‑old daughter. Although he provided documents confirming his parental status — including a birth certificate and Family Court orders — the ATO advised that a doctor’s statement was needed before it could recognise him as an authorised contact.

When he asked the ATO to accept the documents already supplied, he was then told that a signed acknowledgement from the child’s mother was required — something never mentioned in earlier interactions, and inconsistent with the advice he had repeatedly been given: that the relevant completed form, certified ID, and existing court orders confirming equal shared parental responsibility, were sufficient.

George declined to provide the mother’s statement, explaining that the requirement was new, unexpected, and inconsistent with prior information.

We contacted the ATO to seek the preferred outcome — that the documents already provided be accepted. Instead, the ATO outlined concerns around access to a child’s protected information and suggested potential risks in cases involving family violence.

To progress the matter, we arranged a meeting with the ATO. During the meeting, the ATO clarified:

• A parent does not have automatic entitlement to their child’s ATO‑held protected information.
• Under its internal policy, the ATO considers individuals “capable” at 14 years of age, at which point they are presumed able to manage their own tax affairs.
• Parental authorisations therefore end at age 14.

We discussed the inconsistencies in the advice provided to George, the adequacy of the documents already supplied, and the importance of clear, consistent communication.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the ATO agreed to:

• Add George as an authorised contact on his daughter’s account until she reaches 14 years of age.
• Provide him with a clear explanation of the “capable age” policy.

Review its internal scripting to ensure staff are guided to accurate and consistent information in future.