Australian Tax FAQs

For people coming to Oz soon...

In between the packing, planning and goodbyes that are part of leaving home for Australia, there are a few key things about life in Oz that you should know.

To start working, earning and paying tax in Australia you'll need to set up your Australian bank account and get a Tax File Number. Taxback.com can organise these things for you and help you find a job.

We can also sort out your income tax and superannuation refunds. We do upfront Australia tax refunds which means you don't need to wait for the tax office to process your tax return. Taxback.com customers get an average Australian tax refund of AU$2500 and average superannuation refunds of between AU$600 and $5000 from Australia.

Taxback.com can also help you maximise your pay in Oz through our payroll service and the Living Away From Home Allowance.

How can I open a bank account?

Opening a bank account in Australia can be very difficult, especially if you're new to the country and are still finding your feet.

Taxback.com's sister company Travel to Work is partnered with one of Australia's largest banks ANZ and can open an Australian bank account on your behalf before you arrive.

Apply online and receive your account details within 4-5 working days by email. On arrival in Oz, simply show your passport or driver's licence at any ANZ branch to access your funds and receive your ATM card by post in a couple of days.

How can I get a Tax File Number?

To work and pay tax in Australia you'll need a Tax File Number (TFN). TFNs are unique numbers issued by the Australian Tax Office and without one you will be taxed at the emergency tax rate of 48%.

Getting a TFN in Australia can be very difficult, especially if you don't have a permanent address there yet. Taxback.com is partnered with Visa First and can start organising your TFN before you even leave home. Apply online for your TFN today.

When can I get my tax back?

The Australian tax year is from July 1st to June 30th the following year. The 2008 tax year started on July 1st 2007 and the 2009 tax year on July 1st 2008.

2003 – 2008 Australian tax refunds: If you worked in Australia any time from 2003 to June 30th 2008 we can apply for your Aussie tax refund now so get the process underway today.

2009 Australian tax refunds: If you work in Australia from July 1st 2008 and leave the country before June 2009, we will be able to file your tax return straight away. If you're still in Oz in mid-2009 we can file your tax return once the tax year ends on June 30th so scan and send us your documents as soon as you finish work so we can get your cash back as fast as possible.

The great news is that because taxback.com offers express upfront Australia tax refunds you don't need to wait until the tax office issues your refund cheque - we give it to you straight away!

NOTE: We can still claim taxes from as far back as 1998 with special return applications so contact us on australia@taxback.com to see what we can do for you.

Can I use my cellphone in Australia?

Having an Australian phone number before you leave home is a good idea because it means your friends and family will know how to contact you and potential employers can reach you straight away.

Taxback.com is partnered with Visa First and can provide you with an Australian mobile SIM card and instructions for unblocking your current phone.

Get your Australian SIM card pack today.

Do I have to take a work course?

If you're planning on working in hospitality or construction in Australia, you'll need to take a one-day work course.

Hospitality

All staff involved in the sale, supply or promotion of alcohol in Australia must complete a one-day Responsible Service of Alcohol programme.

Construction

Australian Occupational Health and Safety regulations require anyone involved in construction work to attend an accredited safety induction training for construction course – known as a Green Card. The course provides you with the basic principals of construction health and safety.

You can skip the waiting line and register for your hospitality or construction course in New South Wales before you leave home through Visa First – a partner company of taxback.com. Courses cost €95/£70. Book your Construction/Bar Work Course today.

Help – what do I do once I arrive in Australia?

Arriving in a new country can be seriously scary but taxback.com is partnered with Visa First, who will make sure you have a smooth landing in Australia.

The Kickstart Australian Package includes:

• Airport pick-up
• Accommodation and breakfast
• Information orientation
• Social night
• Job service

Register online with Visa First for your Kickstart pack today.

What is a Payment Summary/Group Certificate?

Your Payment Summary or PAYG is the official tax form you'll get from your employer when you finish working for them. Also known as a Group Certificate, your PAYG shows the amount you earned and the amount of tax you paid for that employer.

If you ask nicely, some employers will give you your PAYG form as soon as you leave work. Otherwise you'll have to wait until they post it out at the end of the tax year in June.

We'll need your PAYG or your final payslip to get your Aussie tax back.

What is a final pay slip?

A final payslip is the payslip you will receive with your final pay cheque. It shows your total earnings and how much tax you have paid for that employer.

Will I have to file a tax return?

Yes. Australian tax law requires all non-residents who earn any income from Australian sources to file a tax return - even if you're just working there temporarily.

When you accept a visa to work in Oz you agree to follow the country's tax regulations and therefore must file a tax return. You might want to return to Australia and it's a good idea to have your tax affairs in order. Let us sort your tax return out now and save you any hassles in the future.

All Australian citizens and residents who earn above the $6000 tax-free threshold are also required by law to file a tax return. Failure to do so can lead to penalties and fines.

How will I know if I'm a resident or non-resident for tax purposes?

If you are moving to Australia on a working holiday, student, sponsorship, or any other kind of visa, you can be deemed a resident for tax purposes if you live in Oz continuously for at least 6 months (183 days) and work in one job and live in one single place for that whole time.

If you're going to Australia on a Working Holiday Maker visa, you may be given a non-resident Tax File Number (TFN) to start with. Having a non-resident TFN assigned to you at the start of your Australian stay does not mean you're a non-resident for tax purposes. Your work and living behaviour are the main criteria in your tax residency designation. You need to complete a one-page residency questionnaire when filing your tax return so that the correct designation can be identified.

What will I be entitled to get back from working in Australia?

We will be able to claim back two different types of refund for you from your time in Australia.

If you overpay tax, or are taxed under the wrong designation, you will probably be entitled to an income tax refund.

Also, if you earn more than AUD$450 a month, your employer will contribute to a superannuation fund on your behalf. If you leave the country permanently you will be able reclaim that fund.

Will I pay into a superannuation fund?

Even if you're on a working holiday visa, if you earn more than AU$450 per month, your employer is obliged by law to pay 9% of your wages into a superannuation fund nominated by you. If you don't nominate a fund, your employer will pay it into a fund nominated by their company or the tax office.

The good news is that you don't actually have to wait for your retirement to get this money. You can apply for a superannuation tax refund if you leave the country permanently and your visa expires.

The average Australian superannuation refund we get for our clients is between AU$600 and $5000

When will I be able get my tax back?

The Australian tax year is from July 1st to June 30th the following year. The 2009 tax year started on July 1st 2008 and the 2010 tax year on July 1st 2009.

2008 and 2009 Australian tax refunds: If you work in Australia in 2008 and leave the country before June 30th 2009, we can file your tax return straight away. If you're staying in Australia long-term, we can file your tax return when the tax year ends in June 2009. Check out our FREE online tax refund calculator when the time comes to see how much you could get back.

What are the advantages of using taxback.com?

Thousands of people choose our service because:

• We get you the maximum legal refund
• FREE online refund estimations
• Every customer gets a Personal Online Tracking Account – you can follow your tax return every step of the way
• All our tax returns are legal and compliant with Australian tax law.
• Document retrieval service
• 24-hour customer support and tax refund help
• Free phone, free fax, free post, free online tax help with our live chat!
• No language barriers - our services are available in: Bulgarian, Chinese, Chinese-Taiwanese, Croatian, Czech, Dutch, English, French, German, Hungarian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Latvian, Lithuanian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Serbian, Slovak, Spanish, Thai, Turkish, and Ukrainian.
• Money sent worldwide and in your local currency. You can get your refund in: Australian Dollars, Brazilian Reals, Bulgarian Lev, Canadian Dollars, Czech Koruna, Euro, Hong Kong Dollar, Indonesian Rupiah, Japanese Yen, Latvian Lat, Lithuanian Litas, Moldovan Lei, New Zealand Dollars, Norwegian Krona, Pakistan Rupee, Peruvian Nuevo Soles, Philippine Peso, Polish Zloty, Romanian Lei, Russian Rubles, Singaporean Dollar, Slovak Koruna, South African Rands, South Korean Won, Swedish Krona, Thai Baht, Turkish Lira, UK Pounds, Ukrainian Hryvna, US Dollars.

How much money will I be able to get back?

Taxback.com gets you back as much overpaid Australian tax as legally possible. That amount depends on factors like:

• Your visa
• Your earnings
• How long you worked for
• Any work-related expenses you incurred
• The type of work
• Whether you set up your life in Australia or ‘jobbed' around Australia

The average income tax refund we get for our clients is AU$2500.

How does taxback.com work?

Here's how our easy three-step service works:

1. Register online or use our FREE tax refund calculator and then download the TaxPack for Australian tax returns.
2. Scan and send us your documents and signed forms. We'll estimate your refund and give you an online tracking account. If you're missing any documents we can get replacements for you.
3. If you've chosen our express upfront refund option, you'll get your money straight away - no need to wait! For standard Australian tax refunds, we will file your tax return and send your refund to you as soon as the tax office issues it.

What if I lose my documents or I don't receive them?

We know it's easy to lose documents or to not even receive them in the first place. That's why we have a dedicated document retrieval team who deal with employers all over the world and can organise replacement documents for you.

How long will it take to receive my Australian tax refund?

For Express Upfront Refunds you'll get your refund straight away - as soon as we have your documents and estimate your refund amount.

For Standard Australian Tax Refunds, you'll receive your refund as soon as the tax office sends us the refund cheque. You will be able to watch the step-by-step progress of your application on your online account. It'll go something like this:

When we get your documents it takes us just 24 hours to get your Aussie tax return ready to go. This includes:

• Reviewing your application
• Estimating your refund
• Completing your forms and support documentation
• Quality check and sign-off by our in-house Australian accountants in our Sydney office – Max and John
• Lodging your tax return

Once at the Australian tax office your application should take about two working weeks to process, but at busy times like the end of the tax year it can take a little longer. Our tax team will keep chasing up the tax office to see how your application is going.

As soon as the tax office sends us your money, we'll post your cheque online so you can see it and contact you to sort out the best way to get your cash straight to you.

The total estimated time for your 2008 Australian income tax return is 2-3 weeks. For earlier years it can take between 4-8 weeks.p>

How will I know what's happening with my tax return?

You will be able to follow the progress of your Australia tax return on your online tracking account. It allows you to see every step of your application. As soon as we have your refund we'll contact you to sort out the best way to get your money straight to you.

Rather talk to a human being? We have staff available to talk to you in 21 taxback.com offices in 18 different countries. Click here to find your local office number or use our Live Chat.

How much will it cost?

First of all, our FREE Online Tax Estimation costs you nothing - just a few minutes to fill it out. We'll email your refund estimation straight to your personal email with no obligation to use our service.

When you send us your documents and signed forms, we'll evaluate your refund and what additional services you need such as document retrieval. Then we'll let you know how much it will cost to file your return for you.

For Express Upfront Australia Tax Refunds we charge 20% + levy of the refund received.

For standard Australian tax returns for non-residents, we charge a flat fee of AU$87.

For standard Australian residents tax returns we charge 12.5% of the refund received, subject to a minimum fee of AU$150.

For mid-year early returns, we charge 15% of the refund received, subject to a minimum fee of AU$175 + VAT.

Why the minimum fee?

This fee covers all the things that make using our service so easy for you such as:

• Our chartered accountant who checks all our returns to make sure they are legal and complaint with Aussie tax laws.
• Customer support
• Online tracking service
• Free phone and free fax
• Tax technicians
• Researchers
• Quality team

For Australian citizens we charge a flat fee of AU$99, and for residents we charge 12.5% of the refund amount received, subject to a minimum fee of AU$150.

Will I be able to claim my Australian tax refund myself?

Every tax office in the world is set up to accept applications directly from taxpayers so yes, you can file your return yourself. The reality is though once you submit it, there's no updating process and no feedback until you get a yes or a no, which is frustrating and very worrying.

Preparing your Oz tax return will involve getting all the tax forms and trying to put all the information together properly – and it's not as easy as it looks.

The Aussie tax system is very complex and filing their own tax return is a challenge that most Australian citizens don't even attempt themselves. Most use local accountants, like John in our Sydney office.

At the end of the day ask yourself -
Would I wire my own house?
The reality is no, I wouldn't - I'd use an electrician.
It's a technical, professional piece of work, so I'd get a technical professional to do the job properly. I don't want to risk my house blowing up!

It's the same with tax. Our taxback.com customers rely on us as technical professionals to file their Australian returns and get their tax back. And we can't get enough of it – last year we filed over 20,000 Oz returns. Our customers tell us they knew trying to file it themselves would lead to stress and a possible loss of money in refunds. They'd rather focus on their university courses, their day-job or, more importantly, on their surfing.

Filing your return yourself won't make your house explode, but it can result in lots of stress and leave you out of pocket if you miss out on refunds you're owed.

It's easier to let us put our 12 years of experience filing Aussie tax returns to good use by doing all the work for you. It makes sense to use an expert.

Can you guarantee that I'll get the refund amount you estimate for me?

No, but we do guarantee to get you the most money back that we legally can.

Our estimate will be based on your documents and our experience in filing thousands of tax returns every week since 1996. Naturally, the Australian tax authority has the final decision in your tax refund based on their systems and tax codes.

When we process your application, our team of tax technicians check all your documents for any allowances or benefits you could get to ensure we apply for the maximum rebate possible.

I've worked abroad in other countries - can you help me claim refunds from these countries?

Absolutely! We've been organising tax refunds for people working all over the world since 1996. If you've worked in any of the following countries click on them to apply for your refund!

Austria tax refund	Belgium tax refund	Canada tax refund
Denmark tax refund	Germany tax refund	Gibraltar tax refund
Guernsey tax refund	Holland tax refund	Ireland tax refund
Japan tax refund	Luxembourg tax refund	New Zealand tax refund
Norway tax refund	UK tax refund	US tax refund

Our research team is constantly developing tax return services for new markets so if you've worked in a country not mentioned above, email our team on newtaxes@taxback.com to see what we can do for you.