Do You Owe Tax on Money You Transfer to Australia? (2024)

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This week's post is from two questions about transferring money to Australia and taxes from an SMG email subscriber. I'm sure a lot of expats have the same questions, especially since we often transfer large sums of money to Australia from overseas.

Table of Contents

Do You Owe Tax on Money You Bring with You to Australia?

The first is easy to answer and on the Australian Customs website.

There is no limit to the amount of currency you can bring in or out of Australia. However, you must declare amounts of A$10,000 or more in Australian currency or foreign equivalent. You must disclose any promissory notes, travelers’ cheques, personal cheques, money orders, postal orders, or other bearer negotiable instruments, regardless of value, if requested by a Customs and Border Protection officer or police officer.

You won't be taxed at the time of transferring the money, but will be taxed on the interest earned once in your bank account in Australia.

What About Money You Transfer After You Move?

If you transfer money into your bank account later from your savings back home then that also won't be taxed, but if that money is income earned back home and you qualify at tax time as a resident you will have to declare it on your Australian Tax return. This goes for income from rental properties back home too as that is foreign income earned according to the Australian Tax Office (ATO).

Australian Banking and Taxes

In Australia, your Tax File Number is linked to your bank account which means the Australian Tax Office has records of all your bank activities.

I would suggest opening your bank account before for you leave for Australia so you'll have your accounts ready to transfer money as soon as you verify your identification and activate your bank account in Australia.

You will also need your bank statement in Australia when filling out your first rental application as proof of residency. The real estate market in Sydney is very competitive. Not having all your paperwork ready to fill out your rental application may cost you the perfect flat in Sydney. I have several posts about renting in Sydney that cover all the documents you're going to need.

Australian Customs and Traveling with Cash

The other advantage is not having to carry your life's savings with you when you travel to Australia. That way you don't even have to worry about customs when you arrive.

Even so, you just have to let customs know that you have more than $10,000 AUD with you.

Opening an Australian Bank Account is super easy, you can do it all online in about 10 minutes. And you can open your account 12 months before you move. I don't think anyone really plans that far ahead but nice to know.

Once you have your account details, you're ready to transfer funds. All you need is your account number, bank address, branch number, and the bank SWIFT code.

The Best Way to Transfer Money to Australia

Most banks will try and sell you on using them for your money transfers, telling you how easy it is to do.

Don't fall for it!!

Transferring money from your bank account at home to your bank account in Australia is one of the biggest mistakes people move make. They make it sound so easy that it is hard to resist.

The same goes for international bill pay. Don't even consider that.

Instead, I always suggest using a forex company. My two favourites are OFX and XE Money Transfer, both offer good rates. OFX offers free transfers for LIFE for SMG readers. You can find out more about that offer and my referral link here.

OFX is an Australian-based company, but don't worry, you can open an account with them and transfer money from anywhere in the world.

These aren't your only options as far as transferring money to Australia.

Many people really like Transferwise and, if you're located in Europe, CurrencyFair. Both of these are good options for transferring money quickly but, if you are transferring a large sum, then go with a forex company.

Why? Because you can lock in your rate and, if you choose not to lock in a rate of exchange, they can offer you a better rate of exchange.

Transferwise is great for transferring money quickly and in smaller sums. CurrencyFair exchange marketplace is a fantastic idea, but again best for smaller sums.

If you are transferring over a large sum, over $5000 then go with one of the forex companies.

If you forget a payment back home that's due, this happens to me more often than I would like to admit, then Transferwise or CurrencyFair is a better option.

Ok, so I've added in a lot of extra info. Just to sum things up.

1. Not taxed on savings transferred, but on income earned back home if you are classified as an Australian resident for tax purposes.
2. Claim $10,000 AUD or more.
3. Open bank account before moving to Australia.
4. Transfer large sums with forex company. For small sums and for quicker transfers, use Transferwise or CurrencyFair if located in Europe.

Do You Owe Tax on Money You Transfer to Australia? (2024)

FAQs

Do You Owe Tax on Money You Transfer to Australia? ›

Generally, no, if your transferring funds from your overseas personal account into a person bank account in Australia there'll be no tax implications.

How much money can be transferred to Australia without causing issues? ›

Amounts below AUD$10,000 are fine to bring into the country but if it's above AUD$10,000, you need to declare it to customs. While there is no limit to the amount you can bring in, it's an offence not to report it.

What is the maximum money transfer without tax in Australia? ›

There is no limit of international money transfer that you can do in Australia, but AUSTRAC requires you to report transfers made above a certain amount. This threshold is AUD 10,000, meaning that you are legally obligated to report incoming or outgoing transfers equal to or higher than AUD 10,000.

How much money can be transferred from US to Australia? ›

There is no limit to the amount of money that you can travel with, receive and send overseas. You also don't need to declare money that you transfer overseas or receive from overseas through a bank or a remittance service provider (money transfer business).

Do I have to pay tax when I transfer money overseas? ›

You do need to pay tax on wire transfers sent to a foreign bank account, if the transfer exceeds a certain sum. Any amount over $16,000 sent to a foreign bank account is likely to be considered as a taxable gift by the IRS.

Will I be taxed if I transfer money to Australia? ›

Most helpful response. Generally, no, if your transferring funds from your overseas personal account into a person bank account in Australia there'll be no tax implications.

How much cash can I transfer to Australia? ›

However, travellers entering and departing Australia must report any currency they are carrying of $10,000 or more in Australian dollars, or the foreign currency equivalent. Mailing or shipping currency of $10,000 or more in Australian dollars, or the foreign currency equivalent, must also be reported.

What happens if you transfer more than $10,000? ›

If transactions involve more than $10,000, you are responsible for reporting the transfers to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Failing to do so could lead to fines and other legal repercussions.

How much money can I receive as a gift from overseas in Australia? ›

If the gift meets these criteria, neither the recipient nor the gift giver needs to pay income tax. There is no limit on how much money you can give or receive as a gift in Australia.

How much money can I receive as a gift without paying taxes Australia? ›

How Much Money Can Be Legally Given To A Family Member As A Gift In Australia? Australia does not have a specific gift tax. Individuals can give any amount to family members without taxing the gift.

Can I transfer money from a US bank to an Australian bank? ›

You can send an international wire transfer by visiting a U.S. bank branch. Feel free to save time by setting up an appointment.

What is the cheapest way to send money from USA to Australia? ›

Bank Transfer

Bank transfers are usually the cheapest option when it comes to funding your international money transfer with Wise. Bank transfers can be slower than debit or credit cards, but they usually give you the best value for your money.

Can I transfer money to an Australian bank account? ›

What details do I need for a bank transfer to Australia? The bank account details you need when you send money internationally to Australia generally include the recipient's full name, their BIC or SWIFT number, and their IBAN or account number. We may also ask you for other details, such as their city or phone number.

How much money can I transfer without being flagged? ›

Financial institutions must file a Currency Transaction Report (CTR) for any transaction over $10,000. The CTR includes information about the person initiating the transaction, the recipient, and the nature of the transaction. The purpose of this requirement is to prevent money laundering and other criminal activity.

How much money can you transfer the US to a foreign country without paying taxes? ›

Any international money transfer exceeding $10,000 USD must be reported to the US government on a Foreign Bank Account Report per the Bank Secrecy Act. Many people wonder, “Do large bank transfers take longer than online services?” Typically, the answer is yes.

How much can I transfer without paying tax? ›

“Gifts” can be made in cash or other assets – securities, closely held business interests, real estate, artworks, collectibles or any other type of property. So long as the total market value of your gifts does not exceed $18,000 per recipient in a calendar year, the transfers are entirely gift tax-free.

How much can you send to Australia without paying duty? ›

Goods that arrive by mail and have a declared or assessed value of AUD1000 or less, there are generally no duties, taxes or charges at the border, unless they are alcoholic beverages.

Can I move to Australia if I have a lot of money? ›

You will need a substantial amount of money to emigrate to Australia, both before you arrive and once you get there. Furthermore, on top of paying for all the things that you'd typically need for a move, some visas will require you to have a certain amount of money in the bank.

How much money can you bring into Australia without declaring? ›

You may carry an unlimited amount of cash into Australia but if you are carrying AUD10,000 or more you must declare it . Your bags will also be checked for prohibited or restricted items.

What is the maximum cash transaction limit in Australia? ›

The cash payment limit is $10,000; the limit is set under clause 8 of the Bill and any change to the limit will need to be made by way of an Act of Parliament.

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