These instructions can help you to complete the application for refund of franking credits for individuals 2022.
How to get this publication
You can download a PDF copy of the instructions and form, see:
- Refund of franking credits instructions and application for individuals 2022 (PDF 1, 529KB)This link will download a file (NAT 4105)
- Application for refund of franking credits for individuals 2022.
To get a printed copy, use our automated self-help publications ordering service at any time. You need to quote the full title 'Refund of franking credits instructions and application for individuals 2022'.
What is a refund of franking credits?
Find out what franking credits are and when they are refunded to you.
What are franking credits?
When you own shares or non-share equity interests in a company or when you invest in a managed fund, you might receive dividend distributions.
Dividends paid to you by Australian companies and some New Zealand companies are taxed under a system known as imputation. The tax paid by the company is allocated (or imputed) to you as franking credits attached to the dividends you receive.
When are franking credits refunded to you?
You can claim a tax refund if the franking credits you receive exceed the tax you have to pay. This is a refund of excess franking credits.
You may receive a refund of the full amount of franking credits received even if you don’t usually lodge a tax return.
You can fill in the application yourself following the simple step-by-step instructions. If you need extra help contact our Tax Help service. If you are not familiar with some of the terms used, see Definitions.
Can you use this application for refund of franking credits?
All the criteria must apply for you to be able to use this application. All the statements below relate to the income year 1 July 2021 – 30 June 2022.
Criteria required to use this application for a refund of franking credits:
- You do not have to lodge a tax return (see Do you need to lodge a tax return?).
- You were an Australian resident for tax purposes for the whole of 2021–22 (see Item 2 Were you an Australian resident for the whole period of 1 July 2021 – 30 June 2022).
- You are not claiming a refund of franking credits for a deceased estate.
- Your total dividend income was
- $18,200 or less, or
- $416 or less if you were under 18 years old on 30 June 2022.
- You received dividends from shares (or non-share equity interests) in an Australian or New Zealand company or you were entitled to distributions from investments in a managed fund.
- Your dividend or distribution statement showed franking credits, or you had amounts withheld from your dividends because you did not provide your tax file number (TFN). Statements from New Zealand companies must show Australian franking credits (New Zealand imputation credits do not qualify).
You will need to lodge a tax return to claim the benefit of these credits if you have franking credits but all the criteria above did not apply
Claiming your refund of franking credits
What do you do next? You can apply for your 2022 refund of franking credits any time after 1 July 2022, either by phone or by post. To apply for a refund download an Application for refund of franking credits for individuals 2022. You will need all your dividend and distribution statements for 1 July 2021 – 30 June 2022. For help filling in the application see Completing your application.
Continue to: Frequently asked questions