$2.6k Laptop & TRS - declare it again everytime I'm back?

[Jasonon]

I was wondering if you guys could help me with following scenario. I'm frequent visitor to Australia. Let's say I'd buy a laptop for 2.6k in the country, claim gst on departure, come back, declare it and pay gst again. Can I claim it back next time I leave the country? Do i declare it again everytime I'm back?

 

[marki]

I was wondering if you guys could help me with following scenario. I'm frequent visitor to Australia. Let's say I'd buy a laptop for 2.6k in the country, claim gst on departure, come back, declare it and pay gst again. Can I claim it back next time I leave the country? Do i declare it again everytime I'm back?

Oh that's an interesting.......question. When I did it I got the GST back on leaving Australia and then after about a month bought it back in. Stayed a couple of days and took off again overseas. It would have been too complicated otherwise. It was a work computer so it travelled a lot.

 

[coriander]

I was wondering if you guys could help me with following scenario. I'm frequent visitor to Australia. Let's say I'd buy a laptop for 2.6k in the country, claim gst on departure, come back, declare it and pay gst again. Can I claim it back next time I leave the country? Do i declare it again everytime I'm back?

They stamp your invoice the first time you claim GST on the way out of the country. I don't believe there's any way for the GST payment on the way in to be recorded against the same invoice on the way out (ie in case they think you're double-dipping etc). Plus there's the "60 days from purchase" time limit.

I'd guess you you'd claim GST refund on the way out the first time, declare (or not) on the way in - the chances are they'll wave you on through without requiring payment. Thereafter you can take it out / bring it in with declaration.

 

[OZDUCK]

They stamp your invoice the first time you claim GST on the way out of the country. I don't believe there's any way for the GST payment on the way in to be recorded against the same invoice on the way out (ie in case they think you're double-dipping etc). Plus there's the "60 days from purchase" time limit.

I'd guess you you'd claim GST refund on the way out the first time, declare (or not) on the way in - the chances are they'll wave you on through without requiring payment. Thereafter you can take it out / bring it in with declaration.

Yes this also my view of what the situation would be for this scenario. There would have been no eligible purchase for the second departure so no GST refund would be paid. It is possible that a laptop of that value might be flagged for a re-importation check on the first return

 

[marki]

Yes this also my view of what the situation would be for this scenario. There would have been no eligible purchase for the second departure so no GST refund would be paid. It is possible that a laptop of that value might be flagged for a re-importation check on the first return

However does the 60 day rule not work both ways. Anyway once used the true value of a computer falls. (precipitously). Taking the computer out near the 60 day limit means its over the 60 limits on coming back into the country.

 

[Flying mermaid]

Surely they are more worried about an Australian claiming the GST and then bringing the goods back in. Are they really going to care about whether a visitor brings the goods back and then takes them out again?

 

[marki]

Not sure ...I hoped everybody is treated equally.

 

[Isochronous]

Also the laptop once opened immediately depreciates in value so not sure how they calculate the tax if you're audited on return to Australia.

 

[kpc]

I know customs agents hate processing TRS and by default feel that Australians shouldn't be allowed to claim it...but don't look a gift horse in the mouth! With the app, it takes 1-2 minutes for me to claim...it is the Qing that kills me! Mornings eg 8-10am in Sydney are a nightmare mainly as the flights to China depart soon after!

 

[kpc]

Also the laptop once opened immediately depreciates in value so not sure how they calculate the tax if you're audited on return to Australia.

20% depreciation is allowed if and only if you declare it!

 

[marki]

20% depreciation is allowed if and only if you declare it!

20% plus all the sticky finger marks and new scratch marks.

 

[TomVexille]

As you are a visitor and not a returning resident, you aren't importing the laptop when you return... therefore no GST payable as it's going back out with you again?

Not suggesting that you don't declare as I am not across the law, but that is how I understand it.

 

[Flashback]

I know customs agents hate processing TRS and by default feel that Australians shouldn't be allowed to claim it...but don't look a gift horse in the mouth! With the app, it takes 1-2 minutes for me to claim...it is the Qing that kills me! Mornings eg 8-10am in Sydney are a nightmare mainly as the flights to China depart soon after!

The refund queue at BKK today was bonkers, looked like HKG/Mainland Chinese tourists mainly.