Tax issues

Jivin Turkey

I’ve returned to Ireland after 18 months abroad and am wondering if anyone can help me on tax issues I’ve encountered.

I left Ireland in January last year (I was paid for the month of January and February by my old employer), began to work in Australia in April and then left Australia of April this year, having finished up work in February.

The Australian tax year runs from July to June and I elected to be tax resident in Australia for the year ended 30 June 2007 and 30 June 2008, which I was entitled to.

Now my problem is as I go to file my tax return in Ireland for 2007 I am a non-resident, but now that I am back working here this year, am I resident or non-resident? I want to be resident as my income this year will be much greater than the income I earned in Australia (I only worked seven weeks in 2008 in Australia), but does this mean I need to amend my Australian tax return and elect to be non-resident.

The fact that the tax years don’t run concurrently is certainly not helping me. I do know that there is a double taxation treaty in place between Australia and Ireland so I think I would be able to claim a credit for tax paid abroad on tax paid here.

I’ve done some research myself and I think I know what I need to do but if there was anyone here who had a bit of experience in personal tax I’d be very grateful for any assistance!

helimachoptor

go to an accountant! Its the easiest thing to do