Australian tax thread 2013

mandrake04 · 20-07-2013 11:04am

ozpaddy2 wrote: »

They can be certified as true copies by medicare providers so ask one of the Irish doctors over here instead of a paying a notary public.

Poz

You can get any documents signed by a Justice of the Peace for free who would be more suitable than a non citizen, JOP can usually be found in most large shopping centres on a Thursday night or Saturday morning, failing that your local police station or political office will have a JOP.

lg123 · 21-07-2013 11:26am

Regarding the medicare levy exemption, does the exemption end when you submit your application for PR or when the PR visa is activated?

Plug · 22-07-2013 1:25pm

Ok lads a few questions here Im due to apply for my tax back. I'd be greatful if ye could answer a few questions.

1)When I first came over I was on a WHV 417 and my tax status was 'non resident for tax purposes'. I was paying a lot of tax probably 30 - 40% then after a few months I got my tax status changed to 'resident for tax purposes' and tax rate went down. After 6 months my 457 came through.
I hear of people on WHV's getting most of there tax back but what will happen to me, I seem to be all over the place on this. Im truley lost, what can I be expecting back?

2) I have receipts for tools I bought but I got tool allowances of $665. If I got allowances will that cancel out any tax returns on my tools?

3) How long will medicare exemption certificate take to come? Im going to get it sent off by Wednesday hopefully. Also do I actually need this as Im from the republic of Ireland?

4)Finally any recommend any good/cheapish tax agents. Im in Glendalough in Perth. Somewhere not to far would be great.

Thanks in advance.

hussey · 22-07-2013 11:55pm

Plug wrote: »

Ok lads a few questions here Im due to apply for my tax back. I'd be greatful if ye could answer a few questions.

1)When I first came over I was on a WHV 417 and my tax status was 'non resident for tax purposes'. I was paying a lot of tax probably 30 - 40% then after a few months I got my tax status changed to 'resident for tax purposes' and tax rate went down. After 6 months my 457 came through.
I hear of people on WHV's getting most of there tax back but what will happen to me, I seem to be all over the place on this. Im truley lost, what can I be expecting back?

We cannot give you an exact figure as you haven't provided one. But you will certainly get back your tax free allowance, and you can work out what tax you should pay by a simple calculator
http://calculators.ato.gov.au/scripts/asp/simpletaxcalc/main.asp
this won't take into account things like allowances etc

2) I have receipts for tools I bought but I got tool allowances of $665. If I got allowances will that cancel out any tax returns on my tools?

Any expenses get deducted from your starting salary
Net - expenses = taxable income
e.g. $50k PA = 50000-665= 49335 taxable income.
It doesn't get deducted from tax

3) How long will medicare exemption certificate take to come? Im going to get it sent off by Wednesday hopefully. Also do I actually need this as Im from the republic of Ireland?

about 6weeks, Yes you need it (I was asked for mine twice), but you can apply for your tax before it comes and just keep it as records

Plug · 23-07-2013 10:58am

hussey wrote: »

We cannot give you an exact figure as you haven't provided one. But you will certainly get back your tax free allowance, and you can work out what tax you should pay by a simple calculator
http://calculators.ato.gov.au/scripts/asp/simpletaxcalc/main.asp
this won't take into account things like allowances etc

Any expenses get deducted from your starting salary
Net - expenses = taxable income
e.g. $50k PA = 50000-665= 49335 taxable income.
It doesn't get deducted from tax

Ok I earned $76458 gross and paid $19218 in taxes. The allowances are $665 and it says 'Total allowances are not included in gross payments above. This amount needs to be shown separately in your tax return'. What does that mean? Do I put all the receipts for the tools I bought under that? I just checked I have been a resident for tax purposes for about 10.5 months and am on a 457 visa.
Sorry for the stupid questions. Could you or anyone here make out what I could get inc medicare if you have time. Thanks.

about 6weeks, Yes you need it (I was asked for mine twice), but you can apply for your tax before it comes and just keep it as records

Ok so I can apply for my tax back inc medicare even if I don't actually have the cert? Will they ask for it before they process the funds to my account? 6 weeks sounds like a lot, my tough sh!t I suppose. Thanks for your help, appreciated.

hussey · 24-07-2013 12:12am

Plug wrote: »

Ok I earned $76458 gross and paid $19218 in taxes. The allowances are $665

76458-665 = 75793 taxable
using the ato tax calculator you should pay : 16,179.73 tax
so 3kish estimated return.
If you use any other items for work, e.g. mobile, internet etc you can claim costs for these too.

and it says 'Total allowances are not included in gross payments above. This amount needs to be shown separately in your tax return'. What does that mean?

You need to fill out another section stateing your deductions
i.e. you need to say I was paid X and my costs are Y, rather than My taxable income is X-Y

Do I put all the receipts for the tools I bought under that?

Yes keep the receipts, but you don't need to submit receipts unless asked.

Sorry for the stupid questions. Could you or anyone here make out what I could get inc medicare if you have time. Thanks.

as above, you have not paid any Medicare, so you continue not paying it - no refund, just non payment

Ok so I can apply for my tax back inc medicare even if I don't actually have the cert?

Yes

Will they ask for it before they process the funds to my account?

No, but later down the line they might ask for it (hence why apply for it even for records sake)

poodles · 25-07-2013 12:42am

I'm a little confused with the Medicare Levy...

I've been on my girlfriends private health insurance (through her Irish employer) for the full tax year - will this entail that I could be possibly exempt from the levy?

Also, I wasn't in Australia for the full 12 months - was travelling for 3-4 months in the tax year - does this mean that I wouldn't be liable to the full charge given that I wasn't in the country for the full tax year?

Thanks

mandrake04 · 25-07-2013 2:01am

poodles wrote: »

I'm a little confused with the Medicare Levy...

I've been on my girlfriends private health insurance (through her Irish employer) for the full tax year - will this entail that I could be possibly exempt from the levy?

Also, I wasn't in Australia for the full 12 months - was travelling for 3-4 months in the tax year - does this mean that I wouldn't be liable to the full charge given that I wasn't in the country for the full tax year?

Thanks

If you are exempt from medicare then you are exempt from Medicare levy.

You are entitled to medicare if you are a citizen, resident, applied for PR or on a temporary visa from a country that has a reciprocal medicare agreement with Australia ( eg. UK) you still have to pay for it wether you used it or not.

SONIC2008 · 25-07-2013 4:02pm

Hi,
I paid about 800 dollars to have my degree assessed while on whv. Is it possible to claim back some of this on my tax return? I didn't actually get work directly related to that degree so it may not be relevant!?
Thanks

Esse85 · 25-07-2013 6:54pm

Could anyone tell me what address to send the tax return to?

hussey · 25-07-2013 11:41pm

Esse85 wrote: »

Could anyone tell me what address to send the tax return to?

http://www.ato.gov.au/Individuals/Lodging-your-tax-return/Paper-tax-return/Tax-return-for-individuals/#mailing_your_tax_return

Australian Taxation Office
GPO Box 9845
IN YOUR CAPITAL CITY

Do not replace the words IN YOUR CAPITAL CITY with the name of your capital city and its postcode - because of a special agreement we have with Australia Post, they are not needed.

Esse85 · 26-07-2013 10:41am

hussey wrote: »

http://www.ato.gov.au/Individuals/Lodging-your-tax-return/Paper-tax-return/Tax-return-for-individuals/#mailing_your_tax_return

Thanks a million.

Joe Gt · 27-07-2013 12:36am

was with our accountant 10days ago , he done our returns and also claimed for our medicare , i didn't have to do a medicare exemption form or copy of passports etc , got the payment lodged in my account yesterday. Its worth seeing a good accountant for your returns ,

Slidey · 27-07-2013 12:40am

Joe Gt wrote: »

was with our accountant 10days ago , he done our returns and also claimed for our medicare , i didn't have to do a medicare exemption form or copy of passports etc , got the payment lodged in my account yesterday. Its worth seeing a good accountant for your returns ,

You may not have needed to provide the exemption but if they come looking for it in the next 5 years you will need to be able to produce it

Joe Gt · 27-07-2013 12:47am

thats true , i will keep that in mind, thanks Slidey

Belt · 29-07-2013 11:03am

Have any first time applicants been able to lodge their return on e tax? I seem unable to but am aware of people who have

Is it possible to email your return? Dont fancy waiting the 50 business days for a postal return

lg123 · 29-07-2013 11:53am

shouldn't take 50 days for postal, that'd be worst case.

monariek · 29-07-2013 9:31pm

Joe Gt wrote: »

was with our accountant 10days ago , he done our returns and also claimed for our medicare , i didn't have to do a medicare exemption form or copy of passports etc , got the payment lodged in my account yesterday. Its worth seeing a good accountant for your returns ,

what sort of fee did they charge? any link you could provide?

Etax is telling me the name i have provided doesnt match their records...bit odd as i am entering it exactly as shown on my payment summary.

Belt · 30-07-2013 10:35am

monariek wrote: »

what sort of fee did they charge? any link you could provide?

Etax is telling me the name i have provided doesnt match their records...bit odd as i am entering it exactly as shown on my payment summary.

Yes im having the same issue, etax cant verify my name or DOB. Rang ATO and they said I'd havr to post it

Recession Buster · 30-07-2013 10:49am

I'm in the same situation myself. Can I post the return without my medicare exemption cert? I have appilied for it but it wont be here for 6 weeks?

lg123 · 30-07-2013 11:38am

i dont think you post the cert even if you have it, i didnt when doing my first one a few years ago.

Legend100 · 31-07-2013 12:01am

lg123 wrote: »

i dont think you post the cert even if you have it, i didnt when doing my first one a few years ago.

No need to post the medicare cert until they come looking for it

Joe Gt · 31-07-2013 8:48am

monariek wrote: »

what sort of fee did they charge? any link you could provide?

Etax is telling me the name i have provided doesnt match their records...bit odd as i am entering it exactly as shown on my payment summary.

Belt wrote: »

Yes im having the same issue, etax cant verify my name or DOB. Rang ATO and they said I'd havr to post it

I use a small accountant , got his details from friends. He charges 65 and lodged my amendment too. I think you can make an amendment yourself upto 3months after , but a accountant can do it upto 3 years after

Little Sunshine · 01-08-2013 1:18am

Here's my problem

I have completed my return on line - but as its my first return I have to print it off and send it to them - cant lodge it on line. I don't have a printer and cant download the etax file at work (its blocked) -I saved the file to a usb thinking that I could print from a computer at work but that didnt work - Any ideas anyone?

Legend100 · 01-08-2013 1:29am

Little Sunshine wrote: »

Here's my problem

I have completed my return on line - but as its my first return I have to print it off and send it to them - cant lodge it on line. I don't have a printer and cant download the etax file at work (its blocked) -I saved the file to a usb thinking that I could print from a computer at work but that didnt work - Any ideas anyone?

download a pdf creator for your computer
Then change the printer settings in e-tax to the PDF printer and print it on your computer - this will then convert the file to PDF where you can then save it onto a usb and print at work

Little Sunshine · 01-08-2013 1:49am

Thanks - i will try that

Kiith · 01-08-2013 2:33am

How would i go about getting my TFN number? I can't seem to find the original documents, and will need it when applying for my tax. Can i just ring the ATO and get them to give it to me? Or would it be on my end of year payslip?

mandrake04 · 01-08-2013 2:46am

Kiith wrote: »

How would i go about getting my TFN number? I can't seem to find the original documents, and will need it when applying for my tax. Can i just ring the ATO and get them to give it to me? Or would it be on my end of year payslip?

It should be on your payslip and any Tax Summary.

g5fd6ow0hseima · 03-08-2013 9:17am

Has anyone lodged their return in before receiving their medicare exemption cert?

lg123 · 04-08-2013 3:18am

yes, most people do

darcy07 · 04-08-2013 5:05am

I worked on a working holiday visa for half the year with an agency and then got a full time employer that sponsored me does this complicate things at all or is it a straight forward return ??

i got sent 2 payg end of year forms what do i fill out on etax the combined total ?? the app seems like u just put in one gross amount ??

aido79 · 04-08-2013 12:18pm

darcy07 wrote: »

I worked on a working holiday visa for half the year with an agency and then got a full time employer that sponsored me does this complicate things at all or is it a straight forward return ??

i got sent 2 payg end of year forms what do i fill out on etax the combined total ?? the app seems like u just put in one gross amount ??

Your tax is calculated by your earnings for the year so yes you would just put in your gross earnings for the year. Your visa has no relevance to your tax return.

Scrappylad · 05-08-2013 2:15am

Hi guys, could anyone recommend a tax consultant in around Perth cbd. I live in east Perth. Im on a 457 visa and work in the construction industry if this helps. Thanks in advance.
Niall

Slidey · 05-08-2013 2:20am

Scrappylad wrote: »

Hi guys, could anyone recommend a tax consultant in around Perth cbd. I live in east Perth. Im on a 457 visa and work in the construction industry if this helps. Thanks in advance.
Niall

I went to a guy called John Barber. He works for a crowd called Kensington partners on bulwer street

Scrappylad · 05-08-2013 2:53am

Slidey wrote: »

I went to a guy called John Barber. He works for a crowd called Kensington partners on bulwer street

How did you find him? And is it a set price accountant?

Slidey · 05-08-2013 3:13am

Scrappylad wrote: »

How did you find him? And is it a set price accountant?

He came recommended to me from a friend. I'm not sure how he charges, I paid 220 but it was worth it for me.

I think it may vary on the work he needs to do

massdebater · 05-08-2013 3:22am

Slidey wrote: »

He came recommended to me from a friend. I'm not sure how he charges, I paid 220 but it was worth it for me.

I think it may vary on the work he needs to do

$220? That's extremely pricey, in fairness.

My accountant is a set price of $50 if you want to receive the money in a cheque or $60 if you want it paid direct to your bank account. All done over the phone/via email too so no need to call into him. He's based in Melbourne but I passed on his details to friends of mine in Perth and they've used him last year with no problems. I can pm you his details if you want. I'm also on a 457 so he's familiar with the medicare levy exemption/what can be claimed etc.

Legend100 · 05-08-2013 3:34am

massdebater wrote: »

$220? That's extremely pricey, in fairness.

My accountant is a set price of $50 if you want to receive the money in a cheque or $60 if you want it paid direct to your bank account. All done over the phone/via email too so no need to call into him. He's based in Melbourne but I passed on his details to friends of mine in Perth and they've used him last year with no problems. I can pm you his details if you want. I'm also on a 457 so he's familiar with the medicare levy exemption/what can be claimed etc.

but it will entirely depend on the individual circumstances - he/she might have other income asides from PAYG (eg side job with an ABN, australian dividends, etc)

I must say $50 is a very good deal however, I wouldn't even charge that little myself for returns I do for people!

lg123 · 05-08-2013 9:20am

$220 is expensive, i paid $120. not cheap either but convenient.

Slidey · 05-08-2013 9:23am

I think it does depend on how much work he has to do.

Personally, he saved me well over 10 times that in a tax bill so I think it was worth it

massdebater · 05-08-2013 12:20pm

Slidey wrote: »

I think it does depend on how much work he has to do.

Personally, he saved me well over 10 times that in a tax bill so I think it was worth it

Saving you 40 times the cost would've been even better though.

That's his flat rate for an individual tax return, it doesn't matter how much extra work he has to do. I had Irish income to take into account plus he claimed flights to Ireland as work expenses etc. My friend who also used him has dependants and it was the same price for him.

Legend100 · 05-08-2013 11:58pm

massdebater wrote: »

Saving you 40 times the cost would've been even better though.

That's his flat rate for an individual tax return, it doesn't matter how much extra work he has to do. I had Irish income to take into account plus he claimed flights to Ireland as work expenses etc. My friend who also used him has dependants and it was the same price for him.

may i ask what type of irish income......as most foreign income is not assessable in australia on a 457 regardless of tax residence under the Australian foreign income exemption for temporary residence

massdebater · 06-08-2013 12:08am

Legend100 wrote: »

may i ask what type of irish income......as most foreign income is not assessable in australia on a 457 regardless of tax residence under the Australian foreign income exemption for temporary residence

I received a xmas bonus from my previous employer in Ireland because I was working there for part of the year. I received it tax-free through an inter company transfer so that had to be taken into account when I lodged my end of year tax return.

Legend100 · 06-08-2013 12:30am

massdebater wrote: »

I received a xmas bonus from my previous employer in Ireland because I was working there for part of the year. I received it tax-free through an inter company transfer so that had to be taken into account when I lodged my end of year tax return.

technically not the way it should have been done but you are prob better off as I'm assuming your marginal rate is lower here

Apollo_Creed · 06-08-2013 1:26am

Hi guys,

Great thread.
I'm claiming taxback for a friend using the etax.
With regard to the medicare exemption cert, he didn't apply for the exemption last year and wants to claim back this years and last years.
Can I claim last years using etax?

massdebater · 06-08-2013 1:34am

Legend100 wrote: »

technically not the way it should have been done but you are prob better off as I'm assuming your marginal rate is lower here

Yeah, at the time, I checked which way would allow me to pay less tax overall so I went with that way.

Legend100 · 06-08-2013 1:41am

massdebater wrote: »

Yeah, at the time, I checked which way would allow me to pay less tax overall so I went with that way.

Irish revenue might not be too happy though :rolleyes:

Noo · 06-08-2013 4:25am

Hi

Can anyone recommend a good tax consultant in Brisbane. Or elsewhere if it can be all done over phone/email?

purcela · 06-08-2013 6:45am

Hi,

Trying to do the return for my partner and it gets stuck on screen 7505 when it asks for her spouse's details in the Medicare section. I completed mine and included her info on my return and it worked no problem. I can't progress hers past this point now.

Any ideas?

Thanks.

Kiith · 06-08-2013 11:15am

Right, doing it myself as i can't be arsed going to an accountant.

Question about the medicare exemption though...it says enter the number of days i was in that category. Is that literally the amount of days i've worked, or do i put in the full year?

Australian tax thread 2013

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