How does tax work when travelling and working around Australia?

dkgalloway · Newbie

How does tax work when travelling and working around Australia?

Boroma577 · Guru

We do this on occasion and no you don't need an ABN. Most will just pay wages and some cash in hand if you are lucky......but you will need a Super fund for employer contributions

Keep a log book for your vehicle and record all you expenditure so when tax time comes your accountant will be able to advise what is tax deductable and what is not.

ChiChi1 · Guru

This link may be useful
http://www.bantacs.com.au/travelling_workers.php

animalcarer · Senior Member

Welcome. You will enjoy this forum. Good sound advice.

As far as tax is concerned every situation is different.

Depends on whether you are on a pension, disability pension, newstart, or carers payment.

So check with centrelink on those issues (up to date ones).

If you are still working, and looking for work as you go, say for e.g. agriculture, primary industries, just normal tax file no.

If however you are doing one off jobs, etc for yourself, abn number is a good idea. You can still apply for a abn number anyway, even if you dont use it.

Cash jobs, are just that, cash in hand for jobs undertaken. Say for e.g. cleaning, bond cleaning, etc.

A lot of cattle sheep stations, will give you food, power, and petrol for short stints, which is quite good, also places like frontier services, blazeaid, outback workers schemes.

As I said its all individual and it depends what type of work you are looking at.

I dont know everything about it, so it will be good to hear input from others.

cheers.

jimricho · Guru

Mate! go and see an accountant. See if you can get a recommendation for one from friends, "rellies" etc.

Even qualified accountants (I'm not one) can't give specific answers to your questions here as they would need to know your personal circumstances.

Not getting it right could potentially cost you much more than his/her fee. They can advise you what is deductible and what isn't and you may well find that there are deductible expenses you aren't aware of.

jonathan · Guru

I'm in agreeance with jimricho ..

Jon

ozjohn · Guru

Most importantly, don't forget your TFN.

OJ

dkgalloway · Newbie

thanks for the replies. We are currently working and will be leaving in January. We are in our very late 40's (almost 50)! and hope to secure all sorts of different work on our travels. My husband is a fitter and turner and we are really keen to see our beautiful country, but will need to work to be able to do this. No aditional income, benefits, etc.

Roll on January!!! Thanks again for the replies. Really helpful

Rheo47 · Veteran Member

Check out Bantacs on the web. They are acountants who cater for itinerant workers. When my wife and I first hit the wallaby we worked. You must keep all records as advised by Bantacs and most importantly have a "home base." check the definition on this on the Bantacs site. We were able to claim all expences. Eg. Food , alcohol, vehicle running expences, accomodation, fuel.

Speaking with Bantacs is free. Your tax return will cost about $200 each which is a deduction.

I highly reccomend them.

John

wendyv · Guru

Are you aware that there are different tax zones in Australia? Much of the nation is designated "remote" and a tax rebate applies if you live in such an area for 6 months. It applies to all income for the year, not just that which you earned while in the zone. It is designed to help compensate people for the costs of living in such areas.
Suggest you check this out - if only so you can make sure your accountant is aware of same!
There is also a "super" remote zone with an even greater rebate.

woody · Veteran Member

dose anyone know what the current tax threshold is ?. I thought Julia raised it in July , but I been told not so !

-- Edited by woody on Friday 18th of November 2011 05:39:57 PM

Nicholstones · Guru

Woody, check this link for tax thresholds for individuals. http://www.ato.gov.au/individuals/content.aspx?doc=/content/12333.htm

woody · Veteran Member

Thanks will have a look at that

Gerty Dancer · Guru

Theres all sorts of rebates which you dont know about until you go to a tax consultant or fill out a dummy tax return , which have the effect of allowing us to actually earn more than the "tax free threshold" and not pay tax.

jimricho · Guru

Gerty Dancer wrote:
Theres all sorts of rebates which you dont know about until you go to a tax consultant or fill out a dummy tax return , which have the effect of allowing us to actually earn more than the "tax free threshold" and not pay tax.

It's a well publicised fact that most taxpayers will save more than the consultants's fee when they use one.

Soon to be retirerees should talk to bean couner to make sure their affairs are structured in a tax effective way.

(edit...bloody typo again!)

-- Edited by jimricho on Saturday 19th of November 2011 06:29:12 PM