Disclaimer: This article is a general resource only. It summarises information from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). Please check the linked ATO guidance for the most up-to-date details. Last updated: 21 August 2025.
ETF Distributions in Australia: July Cash, Prior Year Tax
Short answer: For Australian-domiciled Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs), distributions are declared and attributed to the financial year ending 30 June, not when the cash reaches your bank. Your ETF’s AMIT Member Annual Statement (AMMA) confirms which year to use. (ATO)
Why This Happens: The AMIT Rule
Most ASX-listed ETFs are Attribution Managed Investment Trusts (AMITs). Each year the fund calculates its taxable income (such as franking credits, capital gains, foreign income) and attributes those amounts to investors.
The law treats you as if you derived that income at the same time and in the same way as the fund. This is shown on your AMMA statement. (ATO)
Registries must issue AMMA statements within three months after 30 June (typically July–September). (ATO)
July Payments, Prior Year Attribution
Many ETFs pay their June-quarter distribution in July. Even though the money arrives in the next financial year, it is attributed to the year ended 30 June and included in that year’s AMMA statement.
The ATO confirms that ETF distributions are assessable in the financial year they relate to, not when they are paid. (ATO)
Key Dates That Matter
Attribution period (financial year): 1 July–30 June. This is what determines your assessable year. (ATO)
Ex-distribution / record date: Determines who is entitled to the distribution. It does not determine tax year. (Betashares)
Payment date: When cash is received (often July). Does not control which year you report. (ATO)
AMMA statement date: Issued within 3 months of 30 June. Use it to complete your tax return or confirm ATO prefill. (ATO)
Example Scenario
Ex-distribution: 28 June 2025
Payment date: 15 July 2025
AMMA statement: Year ended 30 June 2025
Result: The distribution is reported in the 2025 tax return (year ended 30 June 2025), even though the cash arrived in July. (ATO)
Common Questions
“Is it about when the fund got the money?”
Not exactly. The key is attribution, not cash timing. Ex-date decides who gets the cash. Attribution (reported in your AMMA) decides the tax year. (ATO)
“What if I reinvest via DRP?”
Whether you take cash or join a Distribution Reinvestment Plan (DRP), the attributed amount is reported in the relevant year. Cash received may not equal taxable income, because AMIT rules can create cost base adjustments. (ATO)
“What if I only held units part of the year?”
Income can be allocated on a fair and reasonable basis to whoever held units during the period. Your AMMA shows your share. (ATO)
What To Do at Tax Time
Takeaway: A July ETF distribution usually belongs to the prior income year as confirmed by your AMMA statement.