AUFree

Expat Tax Return Guide — Lodging from Abroad

Step-by-step guide to filing your Australian tax return while living overseas. What you need to lodge, when, and how.

Do you need to lodge? Yes, if you earned any Australian-source income (employment, rent, interest, dividends, capital gains) or if you were a tax resident for any part of the year. Even non-residents with AU income must lodge.

7-Step Filing Process

Determine your residency status

Were you a resident or non-resident for all or part of the year? Part-year residents need to split income between the two periods. Use our Residency Test.

Gather your income documents

Payment summaries (PAYG), bank interest, dividend statements, rental income, foreign employment income, and any capital gains records. Convert foreign income to AUD using the average exchange rate.

Access myTax via MyGov

Log in to MyGov and access the ATO online services. myTax pre-fills much of your return from employer data, bank interest, and dividends. You can lodge from overseas — you just need internet access and a myGov account.

Complete the residency section

Indicate your residency status for the income year. If part-year, enter the dates you became/ceased to be a resident. This affects your tax-free threshold and Medicare levy.

Report all income

Residents: Report worldwide income (Australian + foreign). Non-residents: Report only Australian-source income. Include foreign income tax offset (FITO) claims for any foreign tax paid.

Claim deductions

Work-related expenses, self-education, donations, and income protection insurance. Non-residents can only claim deductions related to their Australian-source income.

Lodge and pay/receive refund

Lodge via myTax or through a registered tax agent. If you owe tax, pay via BPAY or direct debit. Refunds go to your nominated Australian bank account.

📋 Which schedules do you need?

Tick the situations that apply to you:

I earned foreign employment income

I paid tax in a foreign country

I have Australian rental property

I sold shares, property, or crypto

I have HECS/HELP debt

I was a part-year resident

I received dividends from AU companies

I made personal super contributions

Tick your situations above to see required forms and schedules.

Key Deadlines

Deadline	Description
31 October	Self-lodgement deadline (if not using a tax agent)
15 May (following year)	Tax agent lodgement deadline (if registered by 31 Oct)
1 March	Overseas HELP repayment assessment due
28 days after assessment	Payment due for any tax owed

Using a tax agent from abroad: A registered Australian tax agent can lodge on your behalf and gets extended deadlines. They can communicate with the ATO on your behalf and handle any queries. This is often the best option for complex expat returns.