Category Archives: Australian tax

The change of AU tax residency rules – For individuals

Australian tax

If you are thinking about moving to Australia from overseas, or planning to leave Australia, then the change of the individual tax residency rules may affect you. Under the new rule, if you are in Australia for more than 183 days, you are a tax resident. If you are in Australia for less than 183 days but more than 45 days, then the ATO will look at 4 different factors:

– The right to reside permanently in Australia.

– The ability to access Australian accommodation (do you have a property to stay in Australia, which you can always move in anytime?)

– The family connection in Australia.

– The economic connection in Australia.

The change of the individual tax resident rules can reduce the complexity, and more likely that more taxpayers will be treated as tax residents. Hence a good planning is required if you have no intention to take up Australian tax residency.

Please note that the Double Tax Agreement (DTA) will be considered if the other country also treat you as their tax resident under their local law.

Real case: How can a NZ trust creates a mess for Kiwis in Australia?

Australian tax, Kiwi expat

Previously I have written an article about Kiwis in Australia holding NZ properties using a family trust:

Kiwis in Australia owning NZ properties: Tax or No Tax in Australia? (PART 2 – TRUST)

Here is a real case that I would like to share: A kiwi (lets call him Sam) has a family trust in New Zealand. Sam’s NZ home is held by the family trust. He is the settlor and the trustee of the family trust. The beneficiary is Sam himself and his son. After Sam’s departure to Australia, his son lives in the property and pays Sam a rental income every fortnight. Sam is a temporary resident for Australian tax purpose.

Sam’s NZ family trust becomes an Australian tax resident because Sam (the trustee) is now permanently residing in Australia. It has 2 very serious tax consequences:

1. Any rental income paid by Sam’s son is now taxable in Australia

2. The family home is now subjected to Capital Gains Tax (CGT). It is deemed to be acquired by the trust on the date that the trust becomes an Australian tax resident. The CGT is payable later if:

  • Sam dispose the family home, or;
  • The trust becomes a non-resident for Australian tax purpose again, i.e. If Sam later moved back to New Zealand

The worst news is: the CGT main residence exemption does not apply to properties owned by a trust!

It is a very big mess. Since Australian tax can be as high as 45% (not including medical levy), the impact is massive.

If Sam holds his NZ home under his own name, or done the tax planning before leaving New Zealand, he can avoid all the taxes mentioned above because of the temporary resident exemption. The temporary resident exemption, just like the CGT main residence exemption, only applies to individuals.

From my experience, Kiwis love to hold their properties using a NZ trust. It is nothing bad about using a trust if the trustees can always remain in New Zealand. Otherwise, it could be a real big mess and cost you thousands of dollars.

Kiwis in Australia owning NZ properties: Tax or No Tax in Australia? (PART 2 – TRUST)

Aussie expat, Australian tax, Kiwi expat

Some time ago I wrote an article about Kiwis in Australia holding NZ properties by using a NZ company or under their own individual names. The feedback was very good. This article will focus on holding NZ properties using a NZ discretionary family trust.

Please click the following link for PART 1 of the article:

Kiwis in Australia owning NZ properties: Tax or No Tax in Australia? (PART 1)

Continue reading Kiwis in Australia owning NZ properties: Tax or No Tax in Australia? (PART 2 – TRUST) →

Kiwis in Australia owning NZ properties: Tax or No Tax in Australia? (PART 1)

Australian tax, Kiwi expat

Kiwis in Australia owning NZ properties: Tax or No Tax in Australia?

There are so many Kiwi expats living in Australia. They can stay and work in Australia permanently by holding their New Zealand passport and will automatically obtain a Special Category Visa (SCV) subclass 444 at arrival.

Many Kiwis in Australia are owning NZ rental properties – May be the property was their home before moving to Australia or they wish to invest their money into their country of birth. This area of tax can be very tricky. Recently we have a client (a Kiwi family living in Australia) overpaid their tax by about AU$50,000 over the last 5 years just because their previous accountant has no understanding in this area of tax.

Continue reading Kiwis in Australia owning NZ properties: Tax or No Tax in Australia? (PART 1) →

What you need to do when you leave Australia permanently?

Australian tax, Kiwi expat

Recently there is a research showing that more and more Kiwis living in Australia are planning to move back to New Zealand permanently. It is essential that you get your tax right before and after your departure.

The information in this article is also suitable for anyone departed or planning to leave Australia permanently.

Continue reading What you need to do when you leave Australia permanently? →