Trustee feedback supplied to selfmanagedsuper has demonstrated how difficult the application process for a director identification (ID) number can be, particularly for elderly SMSF trustees.
The response was received from a subscriber to selfmanagedsuper’s sister publication, smstrusteenews, and revealed a mature-aged trustee’s experience in applying for a director ID number that spanned from December to early March without a satisfactory resolution.
The trustee admitted they are not very technologically literate, but nevertheless began the process attempting to use the myGovID application. The trustee, unfortunately, could not complete the process using this method and so rang the dedicated helpline, only to be directed back to the online facility.
This prompted the individual to write to the Albury headquarters dealing with director ID number applications, a course of action that did not receive a timely response.
“Two-and-a-half months later I received a reply, enclosing the necessary forms,” the trustee told smstrusteenews.
The next difficulty involved the sources of identification required for the application.
“Three forms of identification are needed. In my case producing a passport and a Medicare card was no problem, but I don’t have a car so don’t have a driving licence. It meant I need a copy of my birth certificate,” the trustee said.
“I do have one, but it was folded and when I got it out of the box I discovered it had stuck together.”
This resulted in the person having to contact another government department, the Births, Deaths & Marriages Bureau for Victoria, to apply for a new birth certificate, further complicating and delaying the process.
The response from this agency again was not immediate, but was eventually received. At the time of contacting smstrusteenews, the individual was informed the relevant forms had been sent out.
“I didn’t like to ask when that would be, but with a bit of luck I will have that director ID before the November deadline,” the trustee said.
