MEL-SYD weekly commute - talk me out of it

[markis10]

The other thing to check is the special area zone rebate. My memory is a bit hazy but it is/was available if you lived in the area more than X days per year, I think being more than 50% of the year.


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Yep, its a special area

[h=3]Zone tax offset[/h] To qualify for the zone tax offset, you must have lived or worked in a remote area (not necessarily continuously) for:

• 183 days or more during the current income year, or
• 183 days or more in total during the current and previous income years - but less than 183 days in the current year and less than 183 days in the previous income year - and you did not claim a zone tax offset in your previous year's tax return.

If you lived in a zone for less than 183 days in the current income year, you may still be able to claim a tax offset as long as you lived in a zone for a continuous period of less than five years, and:

• you were unable to claim in the first year because you lived there less than 183 days, and
• the total of the days you lived there in the first year and in the current year is 183 or more

Guide to tax offsets

 

[TonyHancock]

medhead I just want to say this is possibly one of the best posts I have ever seen here! It embodies the sharing and effort that people put in here but the personal contribution is above and beyond!

I could not agree more. A very insightful post. (I'm a bit late in following this thread!!)

 

[travelislife]

Yep, its a special area

Zone tax offset

To qualify for the zone tax offset, you must have lived or worked in a remote area (not necessarily continuously) for:

• 183 days or more during the current income year, or
• 183 days or more in total during the current and previous income years - but less than 183 days in the current year and less than 183 days in the previous income year - and you did not claim a zone tax offset in your previous year's tax return.

If you lived in a zone for less than 183 days in the current income year, you may still be able to claim a tax offset as long as you lived in a zone for a continuous period of less than five years, and:

• you were unable to claim in the first year because you lived there less than 183 days, and
• the total of the days you lived there in the first year and in the current year is 183 or more

Guide to tax offsets

Thanks for that markis10. I see when I do the search that Olympic Dam is a Special Area. Unfortunately I can't seem to find what this actually means through any searches. It talks about Zone A, Zone B and special areas but it doesn't actually state what the difference is between all these.

Sorry for taking this thread slightly OT, maybe it should be spun off in to another thread based on LAFHA.

 

[rechoboam]

I used to go away for a week or occasionally two at a time and we all hated it. I think it is easy for relationships to suffer badly. Its different I think if you meet your partner after you have already say joined the armed forces and everyone knows extended travel is part of the deal.

Life is too short in my view to do this entirely voluntarily and miss souch time with family. But that's just me.

And it depends on what the deal is. If working on an oil rig means you can pay your mortgage off and retire in a few years and spend your entire week with your kids for ever then you would have to weigh everything up.

 

[medhead]

Thanks for that markis10. I see when I do the search that Olympic Dam is a Special Area. Unfortunately I can't seem to find what this actually means through any searches. It talks about Zone A, Zone B and special areas but it doesn't actually state what the difference is between all these.

Sorry for taking this thread slightly OT, maybe it should be spun off in to another thread based on LAFHA.

The main difference is the level of rebate. $1173/$2295 compared to $338/$1460 for zone A. Zone B OS not anything special. Anyway, just search in the Australian zone bit on the ATO website. OD is special area.

It's wrong but when I claimed it I used to think about it as special area zone A. For some reason it helped me to make that connection.


Sent from the Throne (80% chance) using Aust Freq Fly app

 

[ncairns]

Thanks for that markis10. I see when I do the search that Olympic Dam is a Special Area. Unfortunately I can't seem to find what this actually means through any searches. It talks about Zone A, Zone B and special areas but it doesn't actually state what the difference is between all these.

Sorry for taking this thread slightly OT, maybe it should be spun off in to another thread based on LAFHA.

The zone or overseas forces tax offset is provided by the ATO for working or living in a remote or isolated area within Australia or if you served overseas as a member of the Defence Force. The idea behind this offset is to compensate you for living in an remote area, where there are factors such as isolation, climate and higher cost of living in those areas.

Tax offsets (formerly known as tax rebates) directly reduce the amount of tax you must pay. They are not the same as tax deductions. Deductions only reduce your total assessable income after which the amount of tax payable is assessed. Tax offsets are better in that they reduce your tax payable dollar for dollar by the amount of the tax offset.

The amount of the zone tax offset you may claim depends on the zone. There are different amounts for Zone A, Zone B, Special Areas and Overseas Forces. Roxby Downs is classified as a Special Area so I am guessing this covers Olympic Dam as well. For the year 2010-2011, if your circumstances were simple, and you spent more than 183 days in the current income year in a designated Special Area, you may be able to claim a $1173 if you were single with no dependents or $2295 if you claimed the maximum spouse tax offset. If your circumstances are more complex then there are different rules for calculating the offset.

Again see your accountant who will be able to assess your eligibility and work out how much you are entitled to. (Disclosure: I am not a tax lawyer. My advice here is general so please do not take it as specific to your circumstances).