How to File a Non-Resident Tax Return in Australia (Step-by-Step Guide)

Before you worry about forms, make sure you are actually a non-resident for tax purposes. The ATO looks at a few things: how many days you spent in Australia in a year and whether your permanent home is elsewhere. If none of the tests make you a resident, you will generally be treated as a non-resident. That status drives how your taxes work, and it is the first step in any guide to tax returns in Australia.

When You Must Lodge

You need to lodge if you earned Australian-sourced income, even if you were overseas all year. If you are unsure, talk to a registered professional or use expat tax services Australia to check the finer details. Common triggers include –

• Rent from an Australian property
• Wages earned while working here
• Australian pensions or annuities
• Business income that ties back to Australia 
• Capital gains from selling Australian real estate

If you are searching for how to file non resident tax return, the rule of thumb is simple: if the income came from Australia, it likely belongs on your return.

The 2024–25 Non-Resident Tax Rates

For the 2024–25 year, non-residents are taxed at:

• 32.5% on the first AU$120,000
• 37% from AU$120,001 to AU$180,000
• 45% on income above AU$180,000

There is usually no Medicare levy for non-residents. This matters when you calculate an income tax return for non resident because tax starts at dollar one.

Gather Your Documents

Having everything in one place makes it easier to file non resident tax return Australia without delays or amendments later. Here are some of the documents to collect:

• Your TFN and passport or ID details
• PAYG summaries or income statements from employers
• Rental statements, agent summaries, loan interest, council rates, insurance, and repairs
• Dividend and interest statements (plus any withholding details)
• Capital gains records for property or shares, including purchase and sale contracts
• Business income and expense records, if you ran a business
• Super, pension, or annuity payment summaries

Choose Your Way To Lodge

You can lodge your tax return from outside Australia. Most non-residents do one of the following:

• Use myGov to access ATO online services and complete the non-resident version of the return.
• Work with a registered Tax agent in Perth or another Australian agent to prepare and lodge on your behalf.

If you prefer to file tax return Australia yourself, make sure you select the non-resident option in the residency section. If you would rather not deal with forms, a tax return accountant Perth can handle the whole process and talk to the ATO for you.

Step-by-Step: Lodge Confidently

This approach works whether you are filing an income tax return for non-resident Australia for the first time or you already have a routine.

• Enter your Australian-sourced income only. For example, report Australian rent, Australian wages, and Australian capital gains.
• Include any reportable business income tied to Australia with related expenses.
• If you sold Australian real estate, calculate your capital gain or loss and apply any discounts or exemptions you are entitled to.
• Review prefill data in myGov, but do not rely on it alone – match it with your records.
• Complete declarations carefully and keep receipts and statements in case the ATO asks.

Special Note For Non-Resident Companies

If you are lodging a non resident company tax return, you will deal with company tax rules, not individual rates, and you may face permanent establishment questions if you have a business presence in Australia. 

Keep proper financial statements, work papers for Australian-source profits, and transfer pricing documentation where relevant. If in doubt, get targeted advice for a non resident company tax return Australia so you apply the right rules on the source of income and any treaty relief.

Deadlines, Extensions, and Agents

The standard due date is 31 October, after the end of the financial year. If you register with a tax agent by that date, you may get a later agent lodgment deadline. This is one practical reason many non-residents choose a tax accountant Perth, especially when juggling time zones and documents from different countries. 

If you live in WA and prefer local support, a tax return in Perth service can keep you on the agent’s extended timeline and handle ATO correspondence while you are overseas.

How to Handle Common Scenarios

• Rental property only: Report rent and claim deductions. Keep a clear split between repairs (immediate deduction) and improvements (capital).
• Short work stint in Australia: If you worked here as a non-resident, your Australian wages belong on the return, and withholding will usually appear in your income statement.
• Interest and dividends: If withholding tax was withheld correctly, you might not need to include them, but confirm your specific position before you lodge non resident tax return Australia.
• Sold Australian property after moving overseas: You still need to calculate capital gains under Australian rules, including any main residence exemptions that may or may not apply.
• Shares and managed funds: Capital gains may be taxable in Australia if connected to taxable Australian property; otherwise, it depends on the asset and your residency.

Keep all your Australian tax assessments and payment proofs, because foreign authorities often ask for them. This is another area where Expat tax services Australia can line up both returns cleanly, so credits flow through as intended.

Practical Tips To Reduce Errors

These tips for tax return for non resident Australia help keep you compliant and calm:

• Keep a simple income-and-expense tracker for each property or business, updated monthly.
• Save PDFs of all bank interest, dividend statements, rental agent summaries, and loan statements.
• If anything is unclear, use a tax agent Perth early so you do not rush near the deadline.
• Reconcile rental periods with bank deposits and agent statements to avoid missing months.
• For capital gains, keep both sides of the story: purchase and sale, plus all associated costs.
• Do a final pass on your residency answer; it drives rates and what income you include.

If you want a one-glance checklist while you file non resident tax return Australia, keep this beside you:

• Confirm non-resident status for the year.
• List every source of Australian income.
• Complete and review each schedule carefully.
• Submit and keep copies of your lodged return and the ATO receipt.

This flow works whether you need an ITR for non resident for wages and rent.

Also read: How to Lodge Your Tax Return Step by Step Without Missing a Deduction?

Final Words

If you prefer human help, a tax return accountant can prepare Australian tax returns for non-residents and answer questions in detail. Many firms offer video calls and secure portals, so you can file a tax return even while living abroad.

FAQs

Do non-residents need to file a tax return in Australia?

Yes. If you earned Australian-sourced income, you must lodge a return.

Can I lodge my non-resident tax return online?

You can lodge through myGov using ATO online services or hire a registered tax agent. Both options allow you to lodge a tax return non resident Australia from overseas.

What tax rate applies to non-residents in Australia?

Non-residents will have to pay 32.5% up to AU$120,000 and 37% up to AU$180,000.

How can a tax accountant help with a non-resident tax return?

An expert can tell you which income is generated from Australia and help you make the right decisions.

What happens if I miss the deadline for my non-resident return?

You may face late lodgment penalties and interest. Registering with a tax agent can place you on an extended lodgment program.