incircles

I have been living very happily in QLD (North of Brisbane) for over 3 ½ years with wife, kids, dog and poultry. However my company have just made me redundant. I am on a 175PR, so no issues re sponsorship. I am in the construction industry (consultant project manager) and the work has dried up across most sectors (health, defence, commercial etc). So there are a number of opportunities WA which I am looking at.

What I need to understand relates to LAFHA allowances:

• If I kept my home in QLD and lived in WA could I apply for this fringe benefit?
• Can I have this benefit even though my existing company are not transferring me?
• Is this something my new company has to agree to?
• Is there anything else I should be mindful of in going down this route from a tax point of view.

Any guidance will be appreciated.

J

Beoz

In the first place it is something your company to endorse . It's not really something you can endorse yourself unless you are the boss. Not sure how it works if you move interstate to "start" a new job.

LeeWillo

They've really cracked down on it recently.

You must have your home in QLD empty, so you can't rent it out or anything. I think you can if you state in the contract a room is left for your exclusive use for your return.

I think if the company don't endorse it you can make some claim in your tax return at the end of the year. But don't quote me on that, I would suggest you speak to an accountant.