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Australian tax forms are official documents issued by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) that individuals, businesses, and other entities use to report income, claim deductions, and meet their legal obligations under Australian tax law. These forms cover a wide range of financial activity — from personal income reporting to complex business arrangements — and are legally required to be lodged accurately and on time. Failing to do so can result in penalties or delays in assessments, making it essential to understand which forms apply to your situation and how to complete them correctly.
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About Australian tax forms
This category focuses on forms commonly used by businesses and their stakeholders, particularly those operating under partnership structures. A partnership itself does not pay income tax, but it is still required to lodge a tax return — such as the Partnership Tax Return (NAT 0659) — to report the business's income, expenses, and how profits or losses are distributed among partners. These forms are typically needed by small business owners, accountants, and tax agents preparing annual returns for the financial year.
Because these forms can be detailed and time-consuming to complete manually, tools like Instafill.ai use AI to fill them out accurately in under 30 seconds, making the process significantly more efficient for individuals and professionals alike.
Forms in This Category
| Form Name | Pages | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Partnership Tax Return 2019 (NAT 0659) | 16 |
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How to Choose the Right Form
With only one form currently in this category, choosing is straightforward — but it's worth confirming this is the right document for your situation before you begin.
Who Should Use This Form
The Partnership Tax Return 2019 (NAT 0659) is specifically for:
- Australian partnerships (not sole traders, companies, or trusts) that need to report business income and expenses for the 2018–19 income year
- Partnerships that distributed net income or losses to partners during that period
- Businesses with foreign income, overseas transactions, or personal services income to declare
When This Form Is the Right Fit
Use the NAT 0659 if:
- Your business operates as a formal partnership under Australian law
- You need to report to the ATO under the *Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 or 1997*
- You are lodging for the 2019 tax year (year ending 30 June 2019)
When You May Need a Different Form
This form is not suitable if:
- You are a sole trader — you would report business income on your individual tax return instead
- You are lodging for a different tax year — the ATO issues a separate Partnership Tax Return for each income year (e.g., NAT 0659 for 2020, 2021, etc.)
- Your business structure is a company or trust — those entities have their own dedicated ATO return forms
Quick Tip
If you're unsure whether your business qualifies as a partnership for ATO purposes, check the ATO's definition before lodging. A partnership must have two or more people carrying on a business together with a view to profit.
Once you've confirmed this is the right form, you can fill it out quickly and accurately using Instafill.ai's AI-powered tools.
Form Comparison
| Form | Purpose | Who Files It | When to Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Partnership Tax Return 2019 (NAT 0659) | Report partnership income, expenses, and partner distributions | Australian partnerships lodging annual tax return with ATO | Annually for the 2018–2019 Australian financial year |
Tips for Australian tax forms
Before filling out the Partnership Tax Return, collect the tax file numbers (TFNs), income shares, and contact details for every partner. Having this information on hand upfront prevents interruptions mid-form and reduces the risk of errors in the income distribution section.
One of the most common mistakes on partnership returns is incorrectly splitting net income or loss among partners. Double-check that each partner's share percentage aligns with your partnership agreement, as discrepancies can trigger ATO reviews or assessments.
If your partnership has any overseas dealings, foreign income, or interests in foreign entities, these must be declared in the relevant sections of the return. Omitting foreign income is a frequent compliance issue that can result in penalties or amended assessments.
Ensure your profit and loss statements and balance sheets are finalised and reconciled before lodging the return. Figures entered on the form should match your business records exactly, as the ATO may cross-reference reported income against other data sources.
AI-powered tools like Instafill.ai can complete the Partnership Tax Return in under 30 seconds with high accuracy, saving you significant time especially if you're managing multiple forms or partners. Your data stays secure throughout the process, making it a practical and reliable option for busy business owners.
Partnership returns require specific reporting on depreciating assets and capital allowances, which are easy to miscalculate or omit. Review the ATO's current instant asset write-off thresholds and depreciation rules to ensure these sections are completed correctly.
Always save a complete copy of the finalised partnership return and any supporting schedules before or after lodgement. This is essential for future reference, partner disputes, or if the ATO requests clarification on any reported figures.
If the partnership earns personal services income (PSI), specific rules apply that can affect how income is attributed and deductions are claimed. Review the ATO's PSI guidelines carefully, as incorrectly treating PSI can lead to adjustments or compliance action.
Frequently Asked Questions
Australian tax forms are official documents issued by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) that individuals, businesses, and other entities use to report income, claim deductions, and meet their tax obligations under Australian law. They cover a wide range of purposes, from personal income tax returns to business and partnership reporting. Lodging the correct form ensures compliance with the Income Tax Assessment Act and other relevant legislation.
Any business structured as a partnership in Australia is required to lodge a Partnership Tax Return with the ATO each financial year. This applies regardless of whether the partnership made a profit or a loss during the year. The return reports the partnership's income, expenses, and the distribution of net income or loss to each individual partner.
NAT 0659 is the ATO's official form number for the Partnership Tax Return, with the current category listing covering the 2019 tax year version. It is used by partnerships to report business income, deductions, capital allowances, overseas transactions, and each partner's share of the net income or loss. It is a mandatory compliance document under Australian tax law.
No, a partnership itself does not pay income tax in Australia. Instead, the partnership lodges a tax return to calculate and report net income or loss, which is then distributed to each partner according to their share. Each individual partner is responsible for declaring their share of the partnership income in their own personal or business tax return.
The due date for lodging a Partnership Tax Return in Australia depends on whether you are lodging yourself or through a registered tax agent, and whether the partnership has any outstanding lodgments. Generally, returns are due by 31 October following the end of the financial year, but registered tax agents may have extended deadlines. It is advisable to check the ATO website or consult a tax agent for the exact due date applicable to your situation.
Partnership Tax Returns can be lodged directly with the Australian Taxation Office either online through the ATO's Business Portal or via a registered tax agent using approved lodgment software. Paper lodgment is also accepted in some circumstances by mailing the completed form to the ATO. The ATO provides guidance on the preferred lodgment method based on your situation.
To complete a Partnership Tax Return, you will typically need financial records including the partnership's total income, allowable deductions, capital allowances, details of any overseas transactions, and a breakdown of each partner's share of net income or loss. You may also need information related to personal services income and business or professional items. Keeping accurate and up-to-date financial records throughout the year makes the process significantly easier.
Yes, AI-powered tools like Instafill.ai can fill out Australian tax forms such as the Partnership Tax Return in under 30 seconds by accurately extracting and placing data from your source documents. This significantly reduces the time and effort involved in manual data entry and helps minimize errors. Instafill.ai can also convert non-fillable PDF versions of ATO forms into interactive, fillable formats.
Manually completing a Partnership Tax Return can take several hours depending on the complexity of the partnership's finances and the completeness of your records. However, using AI-powered services like Instafill.ai, the form can be populated with accurate data from your source documents in under 30 seconds, leaving you more time to review and verify the information before lodging.
Some ATO forms are available as fillable PDFs directly from the ATO website, while others may only be available as non-fillable PDFs that require printing and manual completion. Services like Instafill.ai can convert non-fillable ATO PDF forms into interactive fillable versions, making the process more convenient and accessible online.
Failing to lodge a Partnership Tax Return by the due date may result in failure-to-lodge penalties imposed by the ATO. The severity of the penalty can depend on the size of the partnership and how late the lodgment is. If you are unable to meet the deadline, contacting the ATO or a registered tax agent as early as possible is recommended to discuss your options.
While it is not legally required to use a registered tax agent to lodge a Partnership Tax Return, many partnerships choose to do so given the complexity of the form and the importance of accuracy. A registered tax agent can also provide access to extended lodgment deadlines. If you choose to self-lodge, the ATO provides instructions and support resources to help you complete the process correctly.
Glossary
- ATO
- The Australian Taxation Office, the government agency responsible for administering Australia's tax system, including collecting taxes and issuing official tax forms.
- NAT
- A reference code prefix used by the ATO to identify its official forms and publications, such as NAT 0659 for the Partnership Tax Return.
- Partnership
- A business structure where two or more people or entities carry on a business together with the aim of making a profit, sharing income, expenses, and liabilities between partners.
- Net Income or Loss Distribution
- The process of allocating a partnership's total taxable income or loss among individual partners according to their agreed share, which each partner then reports on their own tax return.
- Capital Allowances
- Tax deductions that allow businesses to write off the cost of certain assets over time, reflecting the decline in value (depreciation) of equipment, machinery, or other business assets.
- Personal Services Income (PSI)
- Income earned mainly as a reward for an individual's personal efforts or skills, subject to special ATO rules that can affect how deductions are claimed within a partnership.
- Lodgement
- The Australian term for submitting or filing a tax return or other required document with the ATO, equivalent to 'filing' a return in other countries.
- Income Tax Assessment Act (ITAA)
- The primary Australian legislation governing how income tax is calculated and assessed, with the ITAA 1936 and ITAA 1997 both applying to partnership tax obligations.
- Tax File Number (TFN)
- A unique identifier issued by the ATO to individuals and businesses for tax purposes, required when lodging tax returns and other official ATO forms.
- Australian Business Number (ABN)
- An 11-digit identifier issued to businesses registered in Australia, used to identify the partnership when dealing with the ATO and other government agencies.