Fill Out ATO Notification of a Deceased Person (NAT 74279) Online
Notification of a deceased person
Australian Taxation Office
Officially notifies the ATO of a person's death so their tax affairs can be managed and finalised.
Reviewed July 2026
How it works
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Open the form. The official PDF loads straight into the editor, no download needed first.
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Fill it out in the editor. Click anywhere to type, add checkmarks and place your signature.
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The notification of a deceased person (NAT 74279) officially tells the Australian Taxation Office that someone has died, so their tax affairs can be managed and finalised. If you are the legal personal representative, an executor named in the will or a court-appointed administrator, the same form can add your contact details to the deceased person's ATO record so the ATO can deal with you about the estate.
You can complete NAT 74279 on screen in the Universal PDF editor, then download, print, sign, and post it with the required certified documents. The ATO also offers an online notification option through participating Australia Post outlets and can record some details by phone. Check ato.gov.au for the current version of the form before lodging.
What the notification does
The form records the death on the ATO's systems, which stops routine correspondence to the deceased person and starts the process of finalising their tax affairs. It requires a certified copy of the death certificate; if you do not have one, the ATO may still record some details over the phone.
For executors and administrators, Section B adds you as an authorised contact on the deceased person's record, provided you supply the right supporting documents. You can also request a deceased estate data package, an extract of the ATO's records that helps identify the deceased person's assets and income streams.
Who completes it
Anyone with the death certificate can lodge the notification itself. Only the legal personal representative can be added as an authorised contact: an executor evidenced by a grant of probate, or by the will if probate has not been sought, or an administrator holding letters of administration.
Without probate or letters of administration you cannot be the authorised contact, and the ATO may be unable to release certain information or transfer assets to you. A deceased estate data package is likewise only available once the grant or letters exist.
How to fill out NAT 74279
The form has three sections:
- Section A: the deceased person's full name, tax file number if known, date of birth, date of death, and their last postal and home addresses as the ATO knew them.
- Section B: your details as executor or administrator, including your TFN, date of birth, contact details, and addresses, the supporting document you are providing, whether you want the deceased estate data package, and the postal address for future estate correspondence.
- Section C: the declaration, which is compulsory. Sign and date it after checking every answer.
- Attachments: certified copies only, such as the death certificate plus the will, a grant of probate, or letters of administration.
Where to send it
Post the signed form and certified supporting documents to Australian Taxation Office, PO Box 3006, Penrith NSW 2750, keeping copies of everything for the estate records. The ATO aims to process the notification within 28 days of receiving complete information.
The form contains tax file numbers for both the deceased and the representative, so treat the completed PDF as sensitive and share it only through the lodgment channel.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, a certified copy must accompany the form. If you do not have the death certificate, phone the ATO instead; they may still be able to record some information about the death.
A certified copy of the grant of probate if probate has been granted, the will and death certificate if you are not seeking probate or are awaiting appointment, or letters of administration for a court-appointed administrator.
An extract of ATO records that helps the legal personal representative identify the deceased person's assets and income streams. It is only available to an executor or administrator who has received a grant of probate or letters of administration.
Yes. The ATO offers an online notification option completed with identity verification at participating Australia Post outlets, and some details can be recorded by phone. The paper form suits those who prefer to lodge by mail with certified documents.
The ATO aims to process the form within 28 days of receiving all necessary information. Incomplete or unclear forms take longer, and you should not lodge a second form while waiting.
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