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Zara_B(Newbie)Newbie
6 July 2024

Hi there,


My family and I are considering a long-term/permanent move to Indonesia, and should we go ahead with this move, would be looking at becoming non-tax residents of Australia. I believe that we meet all the criteria outlined in the ATO’s various tests, and we won’t be leaving a home or any other physical assets in Australia.


Our tax accountant has advised us that we should close most of our bank accounts, but has told us that it's okay to leave at least one account opened to facilitate transfers of money to our Wise accounts, which we understand will be better for everyday use in Indonesia.


We currently have a couple of everyday accounts, a couple of savings accounts, and a term deposit account open with different Australian banks. 


Although we will be leaving Australia permanently, we would ideally like to keep one joint everyday account open for the reasons outlined above, along with one savings account and/or term deposit account, to hold our savings for the time being – mainly because we feel safer keeping our savings in an Australian account than in an Indonesian bank account.


I understand that if and when we leave Australia and lodge our final tax returns, we would also need to make our bank/s aware that we are intending to become non-tax residents, and that this may possibly involve a withholding of some interest on our accounts, and I'd be grateful for more information about this, along with any advice on which accounts we may be able to keep active if and when we move.


I’m also wondering whether, once we become non-tax residents, we would need to file future tax returns?


Thanks in advance!

13,819 views
5 replies
13,819 views
5 replies

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Most helpful reply

TamaraATO(Community Support)Community Support
9 July 2024

Hello @Zara_B


Moving to Indonesia, that sounds amazing!


Yes you can most definitely leave as many accounts open as you like. For non-residents with open bank accounts, you need to give the bank your new address and they will only withhold 10% tax from eligible amounts. Not doing this will incur the max tax rate of 47%.


In relation to whether you will need to lodge any further Tax returns for your interest income? The short answer is Yes. Please see our page When do I Lodge for more info.

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Most helpful reply

TamaraATO(Community Support)Community Support
9 July 2024

Hello @Zara_B


Moving to Indonesia, that sounds amazing!


Yes you can most definitely leave as many accounts open as you like. For non-residents with open bank accounts, you need to give the bank your new address and they will only withhold 10% tax from eligible amounts. Not doing this will incur the max tax rate of 47%.


In relation to whether you will need to lodge any further Tax returns for your interest income? The short answer is Yes. Please see our page When do I Lodge for more info.

marekvse(Initiate)Initiate
21 Oct 2024

Hello @TamaraATO,


Thank you for providing us with the advice above. There is one thing not clear to me regarding the part about the necessity to lodge a tax return. You said that the short answer is Yes. However, on this ATO page: https://www.ato.gov.au/individuals-and-families/investments-and-assets/investing-in-bank-accounts-and-income-bonds#Bankaccountforeign under the topic "Bank accounts held by foreign residents" it says "You don't include this interest as income on your Australian tax return." while talking about the interest from Australian bank accounts. That obviously confuses me...


If an interest from Australian bank accounts held by a foreign tax resident SHOULD NOT be included on the tax return and there is no Australian-sourced income then there would be nothing on the tax return hence the obvious question arises "Why would one need to submit a tax return after all?"

AnitaATO(Community Support)Community Support
22 Oct 2024

Hi @marekvse,


You're correct and thank you for picking that up. If that's your only income, then it doesn't get included in your tax return so therefore you won't need to lodge one. If you have a HELP debt, then things may be different, you'll need to lodge a return advising us of your worldwide income. This is because the HELP debt is still payable if your income reaches the threshold.


Make sure when you leave Australia that you tell us you won't need to lodge future returns if you've assessed you won't need too. This will be done on the last tax return you lodge before leaving Australia.

marekvse(Initiate)Initiate
31 Oct 2024

@AnitaATO

Thank you for confirming that Anita.

I have one followup question in regards to your second paragraph: If I'm going to be leaving in November I will do my final tax return in July the following year, correct? Or is there a process to lodge earlier that must be followed?


Also, what are the rules for assessing the worth of one's investments to base the tax on? What date do I use?

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Can we keep any bank accounts open in Australia if we move overseas and become non-residents? | ATO Community