Leaving Australia does not end your tax obligations there. If you earned income in Australia during the financial year, you are required to lodge a tax return regardless of whether you are still in the country. The good news is that the entire process can be done online from anywhere in the world.
Your options for lodging from overseas
The first option is to lodge through the ATO's myTax system via myGov. You will need a myGov account and you will need to have it linked to the ATO. If you set this up while you were in Australia, you can simply log back in from overseas. If you never set it up, the process of creating and verifying a myGov account from overseas can be more complicated, though it is possible.
The second and generally easier option is to appoint a registered tax agent to lodge on your behalf. You provide the agent with your details and they take care of the preparation and lodgment from their end. This means you do not need to navigate the ATO's online systems yourself, and you also benefit from the extended lodgment deadline that tax agents receive.
What you need regardless of the method
You need your Tax File Number, your income statements from all Australian employers, and details of an Australian bank account for any refund. If you have closed your Australian bank account, speak to your tax agent about alternative arrangements. Some agents can assist with redirecting refunds through other means.
The deadline
The standard deadline to lodge is 31 October following the end of the financial year. For the 2024-25 year, which ends 30 June 2025, the deadline is 31 October 2025. Registered tax agents have extended deadlines for their clients, so using an agent gives you more time if needed.
What happens to your refund
If tax was overpaid during the year, the ATO will refund the difference to your nominated bank account. If you still have an Australian account open, the refund arrives there, usually within two weeks of the return being processed. If you need the refund sent elsewhere, your agent can advise on options.
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