Tax Issues when emigrating?

GoingToOz

What do I need to be aware of or doing with regard to Tax issues, as someone who is moving to Australia?

All advice gratefully received, Thanks.

System

Try this site: http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/cnr/faqs_general.htm

sophiedb

Pam17's link probably covered most of the details, but this may be vaguely useful as well.

I left the UK for Australia in June 2001, so first thing I did was to claim back my income tax for the first 3 months of the tax year, via my P45 - very handy and very easy to do, surprisingly enough! My local tax office was very helpful. I later came back to the UK (May 2004) and submitted a P46 when I started work - again, nice and easy. Then again I had no property in the UK while I was away, and only minimal amounts of money left in the bank.

Getting a Tax File Number (TFN) in Australia is very easy by the way - details here. How you do it depends on your immigration status, but on a spouse visa I just had to head to the local ATO office with assorted ID. Nice and simple.

I can also state that unless you have a very completed financial situation, doing your obligatory Aussie tax return online is a piece of cake. Yes you can 'reclaim' the cost of an accountant, but that's just the tax liability - save the $80 and DIY :beer:

And one final note: depending on your visa, you may be eligible for home fees at the local TAFE (vocational college - here's the NSW website). Most of their courses are available in the evenings, and there are postgrad options - I got a Graduate Certificate in Human Resources Management in 12 months, studying 3 nights a week, for a grand total of AU$500. I know the fees have gone up since 2003, but they're still a bargain compared to the UK, and an Aussie qualification isn't that dissimilar to those in the UK. It's also a good way of getting up to speed in your chosen field.

sophiedb

P.S. Ok, I have another little something to share. These two websites are full of *local* moneysaving ideas, mostly of the MoneySaving Old Style variety but also good places to shop etc:

Cheapskates
Simple Savings

I don't live there any more, but I've stayed on the newsletters, because something useful does come up now and then, even when you're this far away!

GoingToOz

Thanks for the useful link Pam - much appreciated.

Sophie, thanks for all the useful info - and MEGA thanks for the websites - a goldmine of really helpful stuff that I am really grateful for xx