Re entering Australia with goods bought through the Tourist Refund Scheme

[Pushka]

Is this depreciation thing serious as I cannot find anything about it on the website.

 

[medhead]

Medical is exempt from GST at least when I looked into it.

 

[nonpop]

Medical is exempt from GST at least when I looked into it.

sory, yes that was a a facetious remark by me.

 

[medhead]

sory, yes that was a a facetious remark by me.

Facetious or not, I was very disappointed when I looked up about claiming GST on some medical equipment I purchased and found it was exempt.

Probably the hardest bit would be presenting your new knee to the TRS people. "yes I understand sir, but how do I know that is the same knee as per your invoice?"

 

[Pushka]

Facetious or not, I was very disappointed when I looked up about claiming GST on some medical equipment I purchased and found it was exempt.

Probably the hardest bit would be presenting your new knee to the TRS people. "yes I understand sir, but how do I know that is the same knee as per your invoice?"

But you dont pay GST on medical equipment so there is nothing to claim back.:?:

 

[nonpop]

Facetious or not, I was very disappointed when I looked up about claiming GST on some medical equipment I purchased and found it was exempt.
Probably the hardest bit would be presenting your new knee to the TRS people. "yes I understand sir, but how do I know that is the same knee as per your invoice?"

Classic ... yes I will pay that one. Had me a good laugh.
Makes me then think of penile implants (not that I need one thank you very much) ... "yes mr TRF man, would you really like to see it as it is 'with me'".

I must admit "my friend" does look for opportunities to make highest & best use fo the system

And as another wise man once said (Kerry P) ... Pay your tax, but don't tip them. They're not doing that good a job with your money anyway

 

[afoozle]

Similar-ish question...

I am travelling overseas for a month soon with my girlfriend. I am planning on claiming a piece of jewellery for her at the TRS counter and then giving it to her while we are overseas.

The Jewellery is over $8k and so even with depreciation of 20% it would be over the $1000 mark.

As she won't have the receipt and I am not planning on telling her what it costs (she will be wearing it), will she be required to declare it on re-entry?

I am guessing that with the 20% depreciation it's still probably worth it to claim?

Your thoughts?

 

[Pushka]

Similar-ish question...

I am travelling overseas for a month soon with my girlfriend. I am planning on claiming a piece of jewellery for her at the TRS counter and then giving it to her while we are overseas.

The Jewellery is over $8k and so even with depreciation of 20% it would be over the $1000 mark.

As she won't have the receipt and I am not planning on telling her what it costs (she will be wearing it), will she be required to declare it on re-entry?

I am guessing that with the 20% depreciation it's still probably worth it to claim?

Your thoughts?

I suspect with something of that value and that you might get $800 GST back, then it will be tracked all through YOUR customs records, not hers! Engagement ring?

 

[afoozle]

I suspect with something of that value and that you might get $800 GST back, then it will be tracked all through YOUR customs records, not hers! Engagement ring?

Yep, good reading between the lines

We will be travelling together but I guess we can head to customs 5mins apart to make life a bit more difficult for them.

I did some more digging and gifts are definitely not exempt from declaration.

Worth risking?

 

[serfty]

...
I did some more digging and gifts are definitely not exempt from declaration.

Worth risking?

I wouldn't ... they may ask where she got the ring from! :-|

 

[Deleted User]

I wouldn't ... they may ask where she got the ring from! :-|

You lost it...and she found it....

 

[simongr]

For a start I expect that the item would be recorded somehow as an engagement ring rather than just a ring. So they would probably ask you who you travelled with. Customs will also potentially have access to your booking which will show two pax and will detain you both once they have detained you and asked where the ring is.

I am not sure the depreciation argument works that well either. Lets assume that the ring was $8,800 (for ease of maths). You claim back $800 then on return declare the ring at a depreciated amount of $6,400. The GST on that is $640 so your saving is $160 overall and that assumes a depreciation of 20%. I made this argument before and perhaps they do default to 20% immediately.

I personally wouldn't not declare and try your luck by maybe saying you gave away the ring overseas or sold it or something and then not going through customs together.

I also wonder how your soon to be fiance would feel coming back from the holiday where you got engaged to be told "Oh we can't go through customs together as I am scamming the customs guys about your engagement ring". I don't think that is a good look.

 

[afoozle]

Hmm, it's a bit of a bugger, I was really hoping to be able to claim that 10% back.

I guess if I got really sneaky I could give it to my brother in law to bring back a few weeks later but that sort of sucks to have to take the ring away again for the sake of a few dollars....

Thanks for all your help guys.

 

[knasty]

Speaking from experience, give the depreciation angle a try, but don't rely on it. Having said that there's no real downside so it's worth a try.

When I claimed a $10k item outbound, and declared it inbound I was asked for the Tax Invoice and TRS claim form. After querying depreciation i was told that some allowance may be given for items such as electronics if sufficient time has elapsed since departure, but for something like a watch or jewellery Customs does not accept depreciation if you've been out of the country for a few days. Remember, it's not like it was new when you left Australia and used when you come back - you had already purchased it when you left the country so it was already 'used' even if you haven't taken it out of the box, hence the valuation at export is Customs' best guide to the value when you re-import. Having said that the Customs officer did knock a few hundred dollars off the value and I paid the GST on a rewards credit card, so it was still worth it.

 

[Pushka]

Future congratulations then! Maybe it is my puritan streak coming out, but I am a gal and to be honest, I think I wouldn't worry about all this. I would just want to come home and flash my new jewel and not have to concoct some elaborate story about it all. If I could afford a ring that expensive then the GST is kind of a moot point.