I am a New Zealand citizen that has moved to Australia and is working full-time for an Australian company. However I do take on some freelance work from time to time and my clients are based in New Zealand and payments are made into my New Zealand bank account. What are the tax rules in this case? Do I need an ABN?
An ABN is not compulsory to run a business unless you are required or wish to be registered for GST or run a business under a name other than your own name.
Depending on the size and scope of your enterprise you could declare this income in your tax return in a couple of ways. As you're working in Australia full time I'm assuming your an Australian resident for tax purposes. If your enterprise is relatively small and all income is from overseas you could simply enter this into the tax return at Item 20. Foreign sourced income. See link.
If you expand your enterprise and earn income from Australian sources as well then you would enter this on a business schedule in the tax return. If you get to this stage then applying for an ABN would be advisable.
An ABN is not compulsory to run a business unless you are required or wish to be registered for GST or run a business under a name other than your own name.
Depending on the size and scope of your enterprise you could declare this income in your tax return in a couple of ways. As you're working in Australia full time I'm assuming your an Australian resident for tax purposes. If your enterprise is relatively small and all income is from overseas you could simply enter this into the tax return at Item 20. Foreign sourced income. See link.
If you expand your enterprise and earn income from Australian sources as well then you would enter this on a business schedule in the tax return. If you get to this stage then applying for an ABN would be advisable.
Amazing!, Thanks for that! :)
5 Nov 2025 · 6 min read time
22 Apr 2024 · 3 min read time
22 Apr 2024 · 6 min read time
739 views
2 replies