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Appendix 2: Royalties

Last updated 25 May 2022

Use Appendix 2 for information about how to report any royalties paid or credited.

About royalties

Royalties include consideration of any kind paid or credited for:

  • the use of, or right to use  
    • any copyright, patent, design or model, plan, secret formula or process, trademark or other like property or right
    • industrial, commercial or scientific equipment
    • motion picture films
    • films or video tapes for use with television
    • tapes for use with radio broadcasting
    • visual images and or sounds transmitted by satellite, cable, optic fibre or other similar technology, in connection with television or radio broadcasting
    • capacity covered by a spectrum licence under the Radio Communications Act 1992
  • the supply of scientific, technical, industrial or commercial knowledge or information
  • the supply of any assistance that is ancillary and subsidiary to, and is furnished as a means of enabling the application or enjoyment of any property, right, equipment, knowledge or information mentioned in 1a, 1b or 2
  • the reception of, or the right to receive, visual images or sounds transmitted to the public by satellite, cable, optic fibre or similar technology
  • the total or partial forbearance in respect of the previously listed activities.

Show royalties derived by an Australian resident as income in the normal manner.

Royalties paid by a resident to a non-resident may be subject to withholding tax. The rate for royalties is 30% however if there is a double tax agreement, the rate may be reduced.

For more information, see IT 2660 Income tax: definition of royalties.

Record keeping

If the trust claims a deduction for royalties paid or credited, keep a record of the name and address and the amounts paid or due to each person. If payment was made to a non-resident, keep details on whether or not tax has been paid or an amount withheld to provide for tax payable by the non-resident.

Return to: Appendixes, Schedules, or Instructions to complete the tax return

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