Income tax - permanent resident

[Petar Petrovic]

Dear all,

 

Let's say I do the permanent resident visa activation trip and stay in Australia for a couple of weeks (and apply for a tax number).

 

Will I be Australian resident for tax purposes or Foreign resident? In both cases I need to pay taxes.

 

Do I have to pay taxes to Australian government even if I never come back? How does it work? Should I apply for the tax number at all (in case I am unsure whether I'll be back)?

 

Thank you very much,

Petar.

[blossom]

You only become a resident for tax purposes when you actually move. No, you don't have to pay taxes just because you have a tfn.

[Gbye grey sky]

Neither PR or citizenship affect residency for tax purposes. That is based on where you are living for the bulk of the tax year.

[Rupert]

Dear all,

 

Let's say I do the permanent resident visa activation trip and stay in Australia for a couple of weeks (and apply for a tax number).

 

Will I be Australian resident for tax purposes or Foreign resident? In both cases I need to pay taxes.

 

Do I have to pay taxes to Australian government even if I never come back? How does it work? Should I apply for the tax number at all (in case I am unsure whether I'll be back)?

 

Thank you very much,

Petar.

 

 

DO NOT apply for a TFN on a holiday. It will just confuse the tax man.

[Peach]

DO NOT apply for a TFN on a holiday. It will just confuse the tax man.

 

Second this. Why bother if you're only on holiday and especially if there is a chance you won't come back?

[calola]

As long as you don't work during your stay in Australia, don't bother. The concept of Australian resident for tax purposes is different from PR. You still pay tax in your own country.