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Who withholds

In certain circumstances you must withhold tax from the interest or royalties you pay.

Last updated 5 December 2022

You must withhold tax from the interest or royalties you pay if you are:

  • an Australian resident payer and pay  
    • a foreign resident payee with an overseas address  
      • whether the loan is for business or private purposes
      • where the royalty payment relates to your business in Australia
    • another Australian resident payee where  
      • your payee carries on their business outside of Australia, and
      • the payment relates to your business carried on in Australia
  • a foreign resident payer in Australia and pay  
    • a foreign resident payee with an overseas address where the payment relates to your business in Australia
    • an Australian resident payee where  
      • the payee carries on their business outside of Australia, and
      • your business is carried on in Australia.

If you operate a company that is an Australian resident, you must withhold amounts from unfranked or partly franked dividends that are not conduit foreign income if either of the following applies:

  • the payment is made to an entity which has an address outside Australia
  • your company is authorised to pay the dividend to any entities outside Australia.

QC17760