Hi Friends!
I was barely able to finish tax return after diving into bed 10 times and punching bed 3 times. What a stressful journey. It wouldn’t have been this stressful if I stayed on a ordinary route, however things happened haha. I can’t give you a general walk through guide, but I’ll share some tiny tips that can keep you from Gigantic stress.
Tip #1 MAKE SURE YOU SUBMIT TAX RETURN BEFORE YOU GO BACK TO YOUR COUNTRY
Australian Tax Office(ATO) website requires 2 step verification. They required code sent through my Australian phone number, which I didn’t have anymore. The other way was verifying by passport, which was impossible since there it can’t be verified once leaving Australia. What was left for me was calling up ATO. (Tip: CALLING VIA SKYPE IS CHEAPEST) . I called ATO and they asked many thorough question to verify if it’s me. It was like going through google security. The lady told me to fill out paper form and then send it to Australia. I’ll put a link just in case you’re encountering same situation and needs a format.. https://www.ato.gov.au/forms-and-instructions
So what I needed was Wage summary, which I didn’t have, but no worries, Your last payslip concludes all tax info. and I mean each payslip of your work places. If you worked in 2 places, then 2 payslips you’ll need.
You can see the total net wage, tax, superannuation on the bottom. If you multiply 0.15 to the net tax, that will be the total tax return you’ll get. If the amount is less than ant bite and you would be happy to spend your hours without those headachy papers, congrats! you can just fold a paper into an airplane and let it go.
Would you like to get your superannuation back as well? Well there needs to be one contemplation to be done. Will you work in Australia in near future? If yes it’s better to keep it. Because once you get your super back, it implies you will not work in Australia, maybe for good. If not, it’s better to claim your super as well!
Tip: Working holiday visa holders can claim anytime, no need to wait for seasonal end
How much would I get in return?
To explain it in more detail, if you hold Working holiday visa, have annual income of less than $45000, if tax is claimed 15%, $45~$700 return is expected. Tax return varies whether you are resident or not, which you got to figure out by your own. As my simple definition, are you planning to immigrate to Australia for good and can you prove it? then you are resident. As in superannuation return, it is claimed 35%
Where can I get any help regarding tax?
It might be really frustrating, getting through tax agency could be a better option. Your time and effort could cost more than you think. I tried to get help from agency, but they claimed more than I could get, so I had to hold up and fill out tax return format on my own.. oh yes what a lovely time
Facebook page group also helped me a lot with getting through all the questions, I highly recommend reading through all the questions other WHV holders facing. It’s pretty much the same anyway.
It was a teeny tiny tip, but hey a penny saved is a penny earned. Anyways I hope you guys don’t struggle as much as I did . Hope you happily get a tax back fast (cha-ching!). Cheers!