Not an Australian resident for tax purposes

[strayatax]

Hello Folks,

I've been living outside of Australia for about three years now. Deloitte usually does my tax, but this year I'm going to try and do it myself. My 2017-2018 tax return I was a non-resident for tax purposes.

https://www.expattaxes.com.au/do-i-need-to-lodge-a-tax-return/
I think this means I can lodge a "return not necessary" form with the ATO instead of a tax return since there is no income derived from Australian sources.

Has anyone had any experience with this? Any traps for the first time player?

Thanks :)

[Lukim]

I am a non resident.

I had some Australian source income some years back and lodged returns but have not lodged returns for last 5 years without a problem.

I will have some Australian source income in current year (20-21) so I will lodge a return.

As long as you are definitely a non resident (and not someone working overseas on a contract) and you have no Australian source income, you should be ok.

[strayatax]

Thank you for the reply @Lukim

So did you submit the non-lodgement advice instead of the tax return on the years you have not lodged?

https://www.ato.gov.au/Individuals/Tax-return/2020/In-detail/Publications/Non-lodgment-advice-2020

[Lukim]

No, I did not submit that as it is a relatively recent requirement.

I have been non resident for many years but did have some Australian source income in 2008/9.