TFN & Tax Obligations While Abroad
Your Tax File Number doesn't expire when you leave Australia. Here's what you need to know about keeping it active and managing withholding from overseas.
🔢 Your TFN Stays Active
Your TFN is yours for life — it doesn't change and doesn't expire when you move abroad. You'll still need it for AU bank accounts, share registry, super fund, and the ATO.
💰 Withholding Rates for Non-Residents
If you become a non-resident, withholding rates on Australian-source income change significantly:
| Income Type | Resident (with TFN) | Non-Resident (with TFN) | Without TFN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bank interest | 0% (declared in return) | 10% WHT | 47% |
| Unfranked dividends | 0% (declared in return) | 30% WHT (or DTA rate) | 47% |
| Franked dividends | 0% (franking credit) | 0% (franking satisfies tax) | 47% |
| Rental income | Marginal rate | 32.5% from $0 | 47% |
| Super contributions | 15% (in fund) | 15% (in fund) | 47% |
| Employment income | Marginal rate (PAYG) | 32.5% from $0 | 47% |
No-TFN withholding: If you don't provide your TFN to a payer (bank, employer, super fund), they must withhold at the top marginal rate + Medicare levy (currently 47%). Always keep your TFN on file with all financial institutions.
What to Do Before You Leave
- 📧Update your address with the ATO
Use MyGov to update your postal address to your overseas address. The ATO needs a current address for correspondence. - 🏦Notify all banks and financial institutions
Update your address and residency status. This triggers correct withholding rates for interest and dividends. - 📊Update share registry details
Companies like Computershare need your updated address for dividend withholding. Non-resident status affects franking credits. - 💼Notify your super fund
Your fund needs to know your residency status. This doesn't change the 15% earnings tax but affects contribution processing. - 📱Keep myGov access active
Ensure you can log in to myGov from overseas. Set up a strong authentication method that works internationally. - 📋Get a record of your tax history
Download your Notice of Assessment history, PAYG summaries, and ATO account balance before leaving. Useful for future reference.
DTA Reduced Withholding
If you move to a country with an Australian DTA, you may be entitled to reduced withholding rates:
| Country | Dividend WHT | Interest WHT | Royalty WHT |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🇬🇧 UK | 15% | 10% | 5% |
| 🇺🇸 USA | 15% | 10% | 5% |
| 🇳🇿 New Zealand | 15% | 10% | 5% |
| 🇸🇬 Singapore | 15% | 10% | 10% |
| 🇯🇵 Japan | 15% | 10% | 5% |
| 🇩🇪 Germany | 15% | 10% | 5% |
| 🇭🇰 Hong Kong | 15% | 10% | 5% |
To claim DTA rates, you may need to provide a certificate of residency from your new country's tax authority.
Returning to Australia? When you return and become a tax resident again, notify the ATO and all financial institutions. Withholding rates revert to resident rates. You may be able to claim back over-withheld tax in your return.