Double Tax Agreements (DTA)
Paying tax in two countries on the same income? Australia has double tax agreements (also called tax treaties) with more than 40 countries. They help stop the same income being taxed twice. We explain how the treaty applies to you – in plain English.
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What is a double tax agreement?
A double tax agreement (DTA) is an agreement between Australia and another country. It sets out which country can tax certain types of income, and in some cases how much tax can be charged. Each agreement is different.
What a DTA can help with
Who taxes what
Decides which country can tax income such as wages, pensions and business profits.
Lower withholding tax
Can limit the tax taken out of overseas dividends, interest and royalties.
Dual residents
Has “tie-breaker” rules if you are treated as a resident of both countries.
What a DTA does not do
- It does not mean you pay no tax at all
- It does not remove the need to declare your income or lodge a tax return
- It does not work the same way for every country or every type of income
Even where there is no agreement, you may still be able to claim a foreign income tax offset for tax paid overseas. Learn more about declaring foreign income.
Some countries Australia has agreements with
IndiaUnited KingdomNew ZealandUnited StatesChinaSri LankaPhilippinesVietnamMalaysiaSingaporeJapanIndonesiaCanadaIrelandFijiSouth Africa
…and many more. Not sure if your country has an agreement with Australia? Just ask us.
Common situations we help with
- Rent or bank interest from property and deposits back home
- Overseas pensions received in Australia
- Working overseas for part of the year
- Moving to or leaving Australia mid-year
- Dividends from overseas shares
⚠️ General information only – not personal advice. This page is a simple overview to help you understand the basics. It is not tax, legal or financial advice and does not take your personal circumstances into account. Foreign income, tax residency and tax treaty rules are complex, depend on your situation and the country involved, and can change. Please don’t act on this information without getting advice for your situation. UV TAX advises on Australian tax only – for tax obligations in another country, you may also need advice from a qualified adviser in that country.
How it works
Free consultation
Call 0466 268 405 or (03) 9007 7892 and tell us about your overseas income.
Free fixed quote
We give you a clear, fixed-fee quote before any work starts.
We do the work
Send your documents online. We check your residency, income and any foreign tax paid.
Done & lodged
We lodge your return and explain the result in plain English.
Overseas income? Get it right the first time
Speak with UV TAX today. Free consultation and a free, no-obligation fixed quote – no office visit needed.
0466 268 405Frequently asked questions
Does a double tax agreement mean I don’t pay tax in Australia?
No. A DTA decides which country can tax certain income and helps avoid double tax, but you usually still need to declare the income in Australia.
Does Australia have a tax treaty with India?
Yes. Australia has a double tax agreement with India, as well as with the United Kingdom, New Zealand, the United States, China and many other countries.
What if I am a tax resident of two countries?
Most agreements have tie-breaker rules to decide which country you are treated as a resident of for the treaty. We can help you work this out.
What if there is no agreement with my country?
You may still be able to claim a foreign income tax offset for tax paid overseas. Call us to check.
Related services
General information only, current as at November 2026. Tax laws and tax treaties change and every situation is different. Contact us for advice about your own circumstances.