If you’re still an Australian tax resident, you must declare your worldwide income — even if you earned it overseas and already paid tax abroad.
👉 Official ATO source:
Australian resident foreign and worldwide income | Australian Taxation Office
💡 Key Points for Expats
- Tax residents: Must report all global income (salary, rent, dividends, crypto, etc.).
- Non-residents: Only report income sourced from Australia.
- Tax treaties: Can help avoid double taxation — always check if your host country has a treaty with Australia.
🔗 List of Australia’s treaties
⚖️ Examples
1️⃣ You live in Singapore but remain an Australian tax resident → you must report your overseas salary to the ATO, claiming foreign tax offsets if applicable.
2️⃣ You rent out a Melbourne apartment while living in London → still taxable in Australia as local-source income.
🚫 Common Mistakes
- Thinking “paid tax overseas” means “no tax in Australia.”
- Forgetting to include foreign bank interest or crypto gains.
- Ignoring treaty relief provisions that can lower your final bill.
🦊 Felix’s Quick Tips
🦊 Use the ATO’s foreign income worksheet to convert foreign currency.
🦊 Keep all pay slips, tax certificates, and exchange rate records.
🦊 Always declare before the ATO finds out through data-sharing agreements.
🧭 See Also
Residency Rules Explained → https://xpatwealth.com/australia-expat-tax-residency/
CGT for Aussie Expats → https://xpatwealth.com/australia-expat-cgt-property-sale/
Super Rules Abroad → https://xpatwealth.com/australia-expat-superannuation-rules/
Free Expat Tax Resources → https://xpatwealth.com/free-resources/
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