Is it true that I have to wait until I return home to apply for my refund? Is it true that if I wait until I return home, I will receive a larger refund? Is it true I can only apply for taxback at the end of the financial year?
To receive income from a job in Australia, you need a Tax File Number (TFN). It’s a good idea to do this first when you arrive in Australia.
Applying online with the ATO is the easiest way to get a TFN:
http://www.ato.gov.au/individuals/content.asp?doc=/content/38760.htm
Once you apply the ATO will mail your TFN to you within a few days.
Most backpackers can apply for taxback twice! Once at the end of the financial year, and also when you have finished work and are about to leave Australia.
The financial year runs from July 1st to June 30th each year. Therefore, come July 1st each year, we can apply for that previous years taxback.
Yes there are definitely lots of rumours out there! Most rumours are exactly that, just rumours. There are no set percentages that apply to everybody.
Exactly how much taxback you receive is dependent on three factors alone:
- the length of time you have spent in the country
- your gross earnings
- the rate of tax you have been paying.
These factors differ from person to person - your refund amount is assessed on an individual basis by the Australian Tax Office, and will be different for everybody.
Contact us today for your accurate refund estimate.
We can transfer your refund into any account, either in Australia or overseas. There are no bank charges for either.
For work before 1/7/08, it takes only 7-10 business days to reiceve the refund. For work after 1/7/08, it takes usually 4 weeks (max 6) to receive the refund.
A PAYG (pay as you go) Payment Summary is an official tax document you receive from your employer, stating your gross earnings (wages) and tax paid in a particular tax year.
Employers are legally obliged to mail these to all employees at the end of each financial year (in the first two weeks of July) and again when you complete work. We then use these when submitting your tax return.
If we are lodging a return at the end of the financial year (after June 30th), then yes we can use your final payslip from your employer, providing it shows your year-to-date gross earnings and tax paid.
If we are lodging an early tax return (before June 30th) the tax office accept only a Payment summary or Statement of earnings letter.
A Statement of earnings is a letter from your employer, on company letterhead, stating your name, gross earnings and tax withheld. This letter can be used instead of a PAYG payment summary.
Sure, you can still apply for your refund and we can chase up those missing documents for you!
The employer is under a legal obligation to provide you with your pay summary. If you are having problems, we will chase these up on your behalf. Dealing with difficult employers is our specialty!
We can pay into an Australian or overseas bank account, and we charge NO BANK FEES.
No that is definitely not the case. You are still entitled to claim taxback – contact us today for an accurate refund estimate.
Same story again: yes mistakes are often made when lodging returns and you may not have reiceved the refund you are entitled to. Contact us today and we will assess your situation and provide you with a free estimate.
In most cases, Yes! Mistakes are often made when lodging returns, your return may have been lodged incorrectly and you may not have reiceved your correct refund! If this is the case, we can lodge an amended return on your behalf and get your correct refund into your hands. Contact us today for professional advice and a free refund esimate.
That’s no worries, we can apply for taxback for anyone who worked in Australia as far back as 2003.
Lost your TFN? No worries, it happens a lot when you move about from place to place. The ATO has all your details on file. Call 132861 (or +61 2 6216 1111 from overseas ) and follow the prompts for TFN enquiries. The ATO will ask you a few questions to prove your identity (including your address when you applied for your TFN) and then give you your TFN over the phone.
Your Australian employers have paid 9% of gross earnings into a Superannuation fund on your behalf. You can claim back these contributions once you have left Australia permanently and your visa has expired. This can all be done for free!
You will need your super information from your employers to apply i.e. your super fund name and super membership number. Contact us today and we can forward you the link free of charge!
No, No and No!! There are lots of taxback rumours flying around, 99% of them false! Contact us today for the FACTS!!