Hello,
I am permanent resident of Australia, have left the country a year ago. In December I was contracted by a company that is contracted by DFAT for two months. The job was to be seconded to the United Nations in Asia during natural disaster emergency and I was paid into my Australian bank account.
Am I obliged to file my tax return in Australia or can I do it in my home country?
Thanks
Hi @EBADER,
Your obligation to lodge an Australian tax return depends on your residency status for tax purposes. If you remained an Australian resident for tax purposes after leaving Australia, you must declare your worldwide income, including the income you earned from the DFAT-contracted work that was paid into your Australian bank account. Australian residents need to report all income earned from anywhere in the world.
However, if you ceased being an Australian resident for tax purposes when you left the country, you generally won't need to report foreign income earned from that date. Work performed overseas is usually considered foreign income, and foreign residents aren't taxed on foreign income in Australia.
The key factor is determining when or if you stopped being an Australian resident for tax purposes. Your residency status depends on factors like your ties to Australia, the purpose and duration of your absence, and your intention to return. Have a read though our Working out your tax residency and what it means for you article for more info.
You can confirm your residency status using our online residency tool. Based on your residency status, you can then use our 'Do I need to lodge a tax return' tool to work out your lodgment obligations.
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