cheekivimto07

Hi to everyone,
just wanted some advice, we are going to validate our PR Visa's in June and what i need to know is do we apply for our tax numbers, medi care etc, then? or do we wait until we return to live there.
Sorry if i sound a bit thick, but my head is all over the place trying to organise things.

Many thanks in advance
Sam xx

ianandhelena

I'd wait till you come here to live. It's just routine stuff.

WS

If you have time I would definitely do it when you validate your visa. You will need to have an address in Australia to send it all too.

Then when you move permanently it's a few less things to worry about.

renth

I don't know, if you validate and get a tax file number and don't move you will probably need to do a tax return the following July, or at least complete a form explaining why you shouldn't. I'd leave it until you arrive permanently.

moneypenny20

Definitely wait until you move permanently. Why have to fill in a tax return and explain stuff when you don't have to. It's all easy enough to do, doesn't take long.

Wol

We got it out of the way during visa validation trip: one less thing to do when you arrive.

It's only an identification number. I don't think it means having to do a return if you aren't tax resident. (Australians can live in the UK for decades and just pick up the same tax ID when they return and become tax resident again.)

WS

Wol is correct, its just applying for a number. Working Holiday makers who apply for one can use the same number years later if they return to Oz.

We applied for ours and we're still in the UK and don't have to do Australian tax returns etc.

LisaD_uk

Things like this don't take that long to do but you do need an address for them to be sent to so if you have a friend or relative then maybe that would be fine but then you would have to go through the rigmarole of changing addresses when you got over her, more form filling, more waiting. IMO its not worth doing it until you get here and have an address to which they can send them.

BrisbaneBound2008

Hi Everyone,

We are moving in May and hadn't planned on starting work until July so we would be starting at the new tax year and won't have to do a tax return for prev year that would include UK stuff. So from what has been said here, we are OK to get a TFN when we arrive (ie before July) and we won't have to do a tax return??

This stuff gets so confusing!

Thanks!

Catherine

Wol

I think you are confused: you become tax resident when you move to Australia permanently. It's not relevant whether or not you are employed. So you will need a TFN from May anyway.

NickyC

Wol is quite right. You need a TFN from the moment you arrive. Even though you won't have a job, any money you have in a bank will be earning interest.

If you don't have a TFN the bank will deduct tax on any interest you earn - then you'd definitely need to put in a tax return in order to get it back!

Darren_Karen

Also, even if you're classed as a non-resident for tax purposes (ie, on a 12 month working visa), you'll need to do a tax return once you've earned your first dollar.

ATO don't consider visa classifications, they look in terms of whether you're a resident or not. They've various ways of defining this but basically if you're intention is to live here, you've sold up, brought your family, living the lifestyle, integrating into the community etc, then you're a resident (works on a year by year basis)

If you're a resident, and not earned anything, you still need to do a tax return

Karen

cheekivimto07

Thank you to everyone who has provided guidance on this matter, we are validating our Visa in June with the intention of moving there for good 3 months later, so i think we'll apply once where there in Sept, then at least we'll have a proper address etc..

Once again Thank You, much appreciated