Get the franking account tax return
Go to the Franking account tax return 2026External Link on our Publication Ordering Service (POS) at iorder.com.au to get a copy.
Get the franking account tax return instructions
The Franking account tax return instructions 2026 aren't available in print.
You can create and save a PDF copy from this webpage – select the Print or Download icon under the page heading then select PDF whole topic.
For help regarding debits and credits to your franking account you may also refer to the Company tax return 2026 instructions.
Who needs to complete a franking account tax return
Complete a Franking account tax return 2026 for all corporate tax entities and New Zealand franking companies that have one or more of the following:
- a liability to pay franking deficit tax (FDT)
- a liability to pay over-franking tax (OFT)
- an obligation to notify the Commissioner of Taxation in relation to any significant variation in their benchmark franking percentage between franking periods.
If there is such a liability or notification obligation, the entity is required to complete section A and the remaining items on the Franking account tax return that are relevant to that liability or obligation.
If there is no such liability or notification obligation, there is no need to lodge this tax return.
An entity is a corporate tax entity if it is a:
- company
- corporate limited partnership
- public trading trust.
A franking entity is a corporate tax entity that isn't a mutual life insurance company.
Where the corporate tax entity is a company that is a trustee of a trust, it is treated as two separate entities, each acting in a different capacity, one being as the trustee of a trust and one acting in its own right as a company. It is a franking entity at a particular time when it isn't acting in its capacity as trustee of the trust.
A company is a New Zealand franking company if the company:
- is a New Zealand resident company, and
- has made an election to join the Australian imputation system.
The Australian imputation rules generally apply to a New Zealand franking company in the same way as they apply to an Australian corporate tax entity. Special rules also apply, see Trans-Tasman imputation special rules.
Continue to: About the franking account tax return