Overview of tax on foreign super fund transfers

Under Australian tax law, amounts you transfer from a foreign super fund may be subject to tax. You may also be subject to other obligations in the foreign country.

Depending on the rules of the foreign super fund, you may be able to transfer an amount to either:

• a complying Australian super fund
• yourself.

You or your fund may have to pay income tax on some or all of the amount.

If you transfer the amount to a complying Australian super fund, the amount will generally count towards either or both of your contributions caps, and you may have to pay excess contributions tax.

When we say 'super interest' we mean any amount, benefit or entitlement that a member holds in a fund.