Tax Entity Classification Information

The global Common Reporting Standard (CRS) provisions require Westpac to provide foreign tax residency information to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). This information may be shared by the ATO with tax authorities in other countries.

To ensure information we may need to report to the ATO is accurate we need a few details from you.

By collecting your Tax Entity Classification information, we can add it to your entity’s profile and ensure that if we need to report information to the ATO, it is correct.

Once you have supplied this information to Westpac you will not need to supply this information again unless your entity’s circumstances change.

What you need to do

Update your details

Starting December 2024, Group Administrators with Digital access will be able to conveniently update their organisation's Tax Entity Classification (TEC) information directly through Westpac Online Banking or the Mobile Banking app.

Updating your details is quick and easy, taking only a few minutes to complete.

How to update your details:

The Westpac App

Sign into the Westpac App and select company profile
Select Verify your organisation
Select Declare tax entity classification
Review and answer the TEC questionnaire

Westpac Online Banking via desktop

Sign into Westpac Online Banking and select the company profile
Select Administration > Business settings
Select Verify your organisation
Select Declare tax entity classification
Review and answer the TEC questionnaire

You can also use Smart Search once you are signed into the Westpac App and type phrases to update tax entity classification details.

Here are some phrases to get you started:

Tax Entity Classification
Self certification
Tax residency

Visit a Branch

Contact your Relationship Manager

You may be required to complete a Tax Entity Classification Self-Declaration Form (TEC SDF) as part of your banking with Westpac.

If requested, please complete one of the forms below and return to your relationship manager.

Dynamic TEC SDF (PDF 1MB)

Important Note: The dynamic form can’t be viewed via an internet browser or mobile device. To view the form, Adobe Acrobat Reader must be installed on your computer. If you don’t have Adobe Acrobat Reader head to https://get.adobe.com/reader/ or complete the accessible version of the TEC SDF below.

Instructions to complete the Dynamic TEC SDF

Save a copy of the form to your desktop and open using Adobe Acrobat Reader
Ensure Javascript is enabled in Adobe Acrobat Reader
You must complete all sections that appear and provide your signature
Return a completed copy of the form to your relationship manager

Accessible TEC SDF (PDF 235KB)

Instructions to complete the Accessible TEC SDF

You must complete all relevant sections of the form and provide a signature
Return a completed copy of the form to your relationship manager

If you have any questions relating to Tax Entity Classification (TEC), please contact your relationship manager.

Further information

Have you been contacted directly by the Westpac Business Identification Team to provide information for your ATO Reporting?

If you have been contacted directly by the Westpac Business Identification Team to provide information for your ATO Reporting, please visit our Tax reporting for the ATO page for next steps.
Tax reporting for the ATO

Where can I go for more information?

If you have any questions about CRS or FATCA, please visit our Automatic Exchange of Foreign Tax Residency Information (CRS & FATCA) page.
Automatic Exchange of Foreign Tax Residency Information (CRS and FATCA)

If you want to know more about FATCA, see the Internal Revenue Service

If you want to know more about CRS, see:

Home | Australian Taxation Office
Automatic Exchange - Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
Your local tax authority

Frequently asked questions

Is my privacy protected?

We will only disclose your personal information to the local tax authority in accordance with the legislation and as per the Westpac Group’s Privacy Statement | Westpac

What is foreign tax residency?

Foreign tax residency refers to the country(ies) in which you are liable to pay tax, irrespective of whether a tax return must be filed or any tax is actually payable. This applies to individuals, entities, and any of their associated parties, for example, beneficial owners and/or controlling persons of organisations.

If you need help to determine your tax residency status, please contact your independent taxation advisor, as we are unable to provide taxation advice.

The OECD website provides information about tax residency in relation to CRS.

What is my Tax Identification Number (TIN)?

What jurisdiction(s) does not issue TINs or equivalent?

What are ‘beneficial owners / or controlling persons’?

Beneficial Owner/Controlling Person refers to the individual(s) that directly or indirectly owns a legal interest in the entity of 25% or more and/or exercises actual effective control over the entity, whether from an economic or other perspective, such as through voting rights. In addition, in the case of a trust, a Beneficial Owner/Controlling Person includes the settlor(s), trustee(s), appointer(s), protector(s), beneficiary(ies) or classes of beneficiaries and in the case of an entity other than a trust, the term includes persons in equivalent or similar positions.