Tax Return

[Guest graandjac]

Sorry for the silly question, but the tax year is from when to when? We just arrived 3 months ago, so not used to this. Can't believe how good it was in the UK, that we didn't have to do this.

 

Anyone who paid a pension or got interest on savings also has to do one in the uk....?????i thought

[elainew]

It's so much better here! At least you get something, back well nearly always.

 

Tax year June to June.

[Scozzie]

Still confused, arrived on the 1st of March and only started working 2 weeks ago (husband still no job), do we put a claim now for 2007/2008 or 2008/2009? If is for 2008/2009, how can you do it before the financial year.

Also do we need to declare your earning in the UK prior to our arrival?

Thanks.

 

Hi I think you do have to declare your overseas earnings. When we were registering for family assistance we had to calculate what we'd earned up to a certain time frame. I think we had under estimated that, so fingers crossed we will get $$ for that, as we will get that yearly.

 

Personally I wouldn't go it alone and always get a tax accountant to do it, as I don't have a clue. But do all of them know what and best ways of claiming............ not that im trying to be fraudulent, just to get the best deal lol!

 

My papa's friends (who were ten pound poms) used to use their tax rebate for a trip back to Scotland every year (going back 15years or so). So that would be nice...... Scotland.......... Bali?? Now thats a dilemma??

 

Gx

[Guest Emu]

Thanks for all the comments.

Last question, can you refer someone that can do the tax for us? That has experience dealing with people that worked overseas.

[Andrew from Vista Financial]

Hi Emu

 

Check out my earlier reply to this thread. Doug Booth's, Accountant, details are on there, he is a UK expat himself and has lots of expat clients.

 

Generally temporary visa holders do not have to declare their worldwide income only Australian income.

 

Also to note, anyone that is a British Citizen and has UK earnings may have to do a UK tax return. You will not end up paying tax twice as there is a dual tax agreement between Australia and UK. If you do have to pay tax to the UK it may be classed as a tax credit in Australia. Also British Citizens are allowed the UK personal allowance of £6,475 before having to pay UK tax.

 

Regards

 

Andy

 

As before this is not tax advice just general info.

[Guest caoimhe]

You can claim for all work-related expenses and most small items you don't need a receipt for (I think there is a $500 limit on claims without a receipt but this may have changed). Stationery, computing equipment, work related phone calls or petrol allowances, dry-cleaning, courses, books, even sun-screen if you work outside. It might be worth seeing a tax agent if it's your first time. They are not expensive for a relatively simple return and you can learn a lot from talking to one. Also, whatever they charge, you can claim some back in the next years tax return as their fee is also a deductable expense!

 

Good luck, Kazza

For work related expenses that you do not have a receipt for you can claim up to $300, otherwise everything must be receipted.

The maximum you can claim for laundry of work clothes is $150.

Your tax free element will be pro rata for each month you have lived in OZ, so if you lived here a full 12 months you are entilted to earn $6000 before paying tax but if you arrived in Jan 09 you are only entilted to earn $3000 ($500 for each month of living here).

Your employer will give you a Payment Summary at some point after 1st July 09 for earning from 1st July 08-30th June 09, this is the amount you will need for your tax return. Also any interest from Dividends, Shares,Trusts etc will be taken into account. Any money you earned in the UK before arriving in OZ is not taken into account just any earning or saving you have accumulated since the day you landed in OZ.

There is also an education tax offset to get money back that you have spent on certain items for your kids education (NOT school fees), you get 50% back up to a limit as long as you are receiving Family Tax Benefit part A, so any on a temp visa won't be able to claim

There is also a low income tax offset that may help reduce your tax bill.