About income statements

You must provide documents that show your true current income and recent income history as part of your obligation for full and frank disclosure under the Australian Family Law Act of 1975.

There isn’t a fixed number of years, but let's look at some typical cases.

If you are an employee, you should provide 3 most recent payslips with your PAYG Payment Summary. You should disclose the last 2 years of tax returns along with the most recent Notice of Assessment from the Australian Taxation Office.

If you receive bonuses or commissions, you should provide a copy of your employment contract and may need to provide more history due to the variability of income.

Being self-employed or a business owner can be more complex. Start by providing the last 2–3 years of personal and business tax returns. Business financial statements, including profit & loss and balance sheets may also be required. The Court will want to understand the true income of the business, so you may need to provide additional documentation such as bank statements, invoices, and contracts.

Income from other income streams such as rental properties, dividends and investments, trust distributions, superannuation income streams, govenment benefits or insurance payouts must all be disclosed.

So, how many years are needed? For straightforward matters, 1–2 years is common. For more complex or disputed matters 2–3+ years may be required.

You should provide enough documentation to show your current income, your recent income history and any expected future changes.

If you are in any doubt, disclose it and provide documentary evidence as a court can order additional disclosure if income is unclear or inconsistent. This will cost more time and money.