Your 2026 Compliance Checklist
Every form, threshold, and deadline a US expat in Australia needs to track this year. Bookmark this page and review it each January, and again each June 30 when your Australian financial year closes.
1. Confirm Your Filing Requirement
File Form 1040 if worldwide gross income exceeds roughly $14,600 ($400 if self-employed), regardless of Australian tax already paid.
2. Decide FEIE or FTC, and Don't Default
Model both. For most salaried Australian residents, the Foreign Tax Credit (Form 1116) beats the FEIE once your effective Australian rate exceeds US rates on the same income.
3. File FBAR If You Cross $10,000 (FinCEN Form 114)
Aggregate all foreign accounts, checking, savings, and superannuation. Your super balance almost certainly counts. File by April 15 (automatic extension to October 15).
4. Check FATCA Reporting (Form 8938)
Applies at higher thresholds than FBAR, generally $200,000+ in specified foreign assets for single filers abroad ($400,000+ married filing jointly). Super and Australian property investment count.
5. Classify Your Superannuation Fund
Determine industry/retail fund versus SMSF. This decides whether you need Forms 3520, 3520-A, and 8621 for any PFICs held inside the fund.
6. Audit for PFIC Exposure
Review any Australian managed funds, whether held personally or inside super, for PFIC classification. Consult a specialist if found, the reporting burden compounds annually.
7. Confirm Totalization Agreement Coverage
If US-employer-sponsored, confirm your employer holds a Certificate of Coverage. If locally hired, confirm you're correctly exempt from US Social Security tax but still liable for Medicare tax if self-employed.
8. Review State Domicile Status
Confirm whether your prior US state still considers you a resident for state tax purposes, particularly if you're from California, Virginia, New Mexico, or South Carolina.
9. Check FIRB Status Before Any Property Purchase
Confirm whether you need Foreign Investment Review Board approval and budget for the foreign buyer stamp duty surcharge before signing any contract.
10. Reconcile Australian and US Tax Years
Australia's financial year runs July 1 to June 30; the US uses the calendar year. Keep a running log so you're not reconstructing figures from memory at filing time.
11. Verify Beneficiary Designations on US Accounts
Confirm 401(k), IRA, and life insurance beneficiary designations are current. Cross-border estate planning gets materially more complex the longer you're abroad, don't let this lapse.