Australian tax agent???

by **Boronia** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 7:42 am

Does anyone know of an Australian accountant in Shanghai who will do Aus. tax returns?

by **mat** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 9:30 am

Check on Austcham's website for member companies. There are definitely a couple of Australian owned/run firms here that should be able to help you. Is your return so hard in that you can't use tax pack? If you can use that, you should be able to get one from the Consulate.

by **Boronia** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 9:52 am

Thank you, mat!

by **dhcp** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 9:59 am

Give AusCham a call (021 6248 8301). You can also try the online submission method, otherwise it might be a little difficult as individuals need to lodge by end of Oct 07 (TBC?) and agents need to lodge by end of Marc 08 (TBC?) .... so finding an AU Tax Rep in Shanghai who is doing AU returns could be a little tricky ....good luck and I'd be interested to know how you go!

by **mat** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 10:01 am

Yeah, as per DHCP, they may not be registered to lodge it Mar08, but could definititely help you to do it before October 07.

Tax pack and online is the best bet if your tax is not that difficult. I have helped a LOT of people with tax pack in the past, so if you do get stuck on something, drop me a PM. I am an Australian CPA.

by **thewalrus** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 10:21 am

Tax? Havent paid tax in Australia for years. I have a degree and a Masters I have to pay off as well...[God Bless HECS & PELS!]. COME AND GET ME TAXPIG!!

Mat - if I stay out of the country will they just "forget" about me? I dont even bloody know my tax number!

by **flifox** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 10:26 am

the Shanghai CPA has a membership of over 5000 and is run by a former employee of Vic Govt Office in Shanghai. Surely one of them could do the job.

by **Reg_Reagan** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 10:28 am

TAX??? What's that then?

by **mat** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 10:38 am

OK, regarding paying tax in Aus. If you are overseas, you are legally supposed to pay tax UNLESS you can show that you are a non-resident for tax purposes.

Basically, if you have no fixed contract to go back to Aus within 2 years, you are a non-resident for tax purposes. What that means is NEVER sign a contract of secondment to China for 23 months or your screwed. Make it 25 mths or open ended. Best if open ended, that way even if you return in 13 mths, you can still claim to be a non resident for tax purposes.

by **dhcp** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 11:22 am

Yeah, I remember reading about the non-resident/resident thing ..... as non-residents are taxed at a higher rate ... but I'm not clear on how you can claim to be a non-resident after 13 months

by **mat** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 11:44 am

Non residents are NOT taxed at all. Non Residents for tax purposes that is. as i said in a previous post, if you don't have a fixed contract to return at a specified date that is within 24 months of you leaving, then you can claim to be a non resident for tax purposes and you do not need to file a tax return.

by **Boronia** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 11:46 am

Thank you one & all.

by **Bluebag** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 12:40 pm

you do not need to file a tax return.

Unless you have some Oz-sourced income - i.e. you've rented out your house /apt. while you're away. Then you have to put in a return.

by **mat** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 12:53 pm

ok, sorry. Yes. you are right.

by **Lordlunchalot** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 1:17 pm

Do we actually have to inform the tax department that we are non residents or do we just use that as an explaination as to why a tax return has not been done?

by **angelgirl** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 1:38 pm

We haven't paid a cent of tax from our expat income, only on real estate in Aus, and have never had any issues. The only thing is, you lose your Medicare after 5 years of living overseas, which is not a problem if you have medical through your employer, and I think you regain it if you go back to Australia permanently.

by **theindianguy** » Sun Aug 01, 2010 2:11 pm

Cool

I was scared of getting double-taxed, like those Americans. I'll be in Shanghai for 3 years working for a Chinese employer. I still need to file a tax return due to investments in Oz. Thanks for the advice.

And I've removed myself from Oz electoral rolls, so no need to decide between Joolia and Tony!

Australian tax agent???

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