Govt cracks down on airport TRS rebates for Aust travellers

[Daver6]

Perhaps the ATO has a list of people of interest. So they're claiming GST back on an expensive purchase and yet reporting very little income. Something the ATO might be interested in.

 

[Cossie]

Perhaps the ATO has a list of people of interest. So they're claiming GST back on an expensive purchase and yet reporting very little income. Something the ATO might be interested in.

Data mining by the government, a lot more of it goes on than most people think, a lot of systems are linked.

 

[Daver6]

Data mining by the government, a lot more of it goes on than most people think, a lot of systems are linked.

And who do you think has one of the most powerful computers in Australia for data matching

 

[theblank]

I think it'd be possible to "gift" an expensive ring to someone overseas for 12 months and then bring it back.

You still have to declare it. Doesnt matter whether you bought it or someone gave it to you.

 

[JohnK]

You still have to declare it. Doesnt matter whether you bought it or someone gave it to you.

I know people who have taken things overseas, left them there and another person has brought them back. As long as it doesn't come back in the same trip that it went out then you'd be ok as no one checks the rings/jewellery you are wearing unless you have lots of them.

And out of interest I'd really love to know who turns up after an overseas trip where they have bought expensive jewellery and declare them so they can pay duty here? Are there really honest people out there who don't already pay enough duty/tax?

 

[Deleted member 29185]

What if duty/GST/VAT was paid O/S. Do you still have to pay it again here?

 

[OZDUCK]

What if duty/GST/VAT was paid O/S. Do you still have to pay it again here?

Simple answer is yes. The only implication of what taxes you pay overseas is that they increase the price you paid for the goods.The amount payable for Duty/GST here is based on the full amount paid overseas.

 

[JessicaTam]

And out of interest I'd really love to know who turns up after an overseas trip where they have bought expensive jewellery and declare them so they can pay duty here? Are there really honest people out there who don't already pay enough duty/tax?

Considering the alternative could be regarded as fraud, quite a few I would hope.

 

[marki]

The last time I left SYD in January the queue was so long even for the App process that I stood for all of two minutes and then thought my lounge time was too valuable to waste for $90

Tend to agree ......is there another way however?

 

[JessicaTam]

Tend to agree ......is there another way however?

At some point there is a queue involved in the process so I think not.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Tend to agree ......is there another way however?

When I fly out of CNS early in the morning, the TRS is often closed so a form is filled out, placed in an envelope with the receipt and dropped in a box. Works well for me!

 

[Daver6]

Same with departing on QF71 to SIN. Actually, a little annoyed with the situation. I go to the effort of doing it online. You're called from the lounge to board but still have to clear customs and a second security check. The TRS counter turns out to be unmanned. Therefore you need to fill out all the paperwork from scratch. Such a waste of time!

 

[JohnK]

Tend to agree ......is there another way however?

I know BNE and SYD have a box you can place a completed TRS claim with your receipt and a self-addressed envelope so receipts can be returned to you. Can take up to a month to process but worth waiting.

No lounge visit is worth $90.

 

[marki]

depends I will always want a good drink like a martini. Do Qf serve them however?

I know BNE and SYD have a box you can place a completed TRS claim with your receipt and a self-addressed envelope so receipts can be returned to you. Can take up to a month to process but worth waiting.

No lounge visit is worth $90.

 

[serfty]

martini. Do Qf serve them however

In tbe MEL/SYD/LAX first lounges?

Sure .. just ask ...

 

[JohnK]

depends I will always want a good drink like a martini. Do Qf serve them however?

$90 worth of Martinis?

 

[Must...Fly!]

$90 worth of Martinis?

A few drinks, a very nice meal and dessert, quiet place to relax and browse the internet....

Personally I would hardly ever pay money for a lounge visit but with the lounge access I find it just so much easier to travel. Showers for example and the sit-down good food is nice. Means I forgo whatever is served up on the aircraft normally...

 

[JohnK]

A few drinks, a very nice meal and dessert, quiet place to relax and browse the internet....

Totally understand. My comment was in reference to someone who mentioned that waiting to receive a $90 TRS refund is not as important as a lounge visit.

For me the lounge visit can wait.

 

[opusman]

$90 worth of Martinis?

That's only 3 martinis plus some chips.

 

[Must...Fly!]

Totally understand. My comment was in reference to someone who mentioned that waiting to receive a $90 TRS refund is not as important as a lounge visit.

For me the lounge visit can wait.

Ahh sorry I didn't realise the thread I was in.

I have a relevant story then!

Transiting through on a MEL-xSYD-AUH-LHR earlier this year, I had a refund to get of around $50. The queue at the Sydney office was really long and I wanted to get to the lounge and have shower & dinner without stressing about time. After a quick calculation I decided that $50 from TRS was not worth the pain of the next 24 hours and not feeling as best as I could. So I went to the lounge, showered and ate well...had the luck of a row to myself on the plane and I got around 6 hours sleep which I'd never done before on an aircraft. Best $50 I (never) spent!

It probably depends how often you visit the lounges too. If I was a QF WP and it was my only visit to the lounge for the year then I'd forgo the refund. But if I was in there every month...probably not.