Advice on tourist refund scheme - ipad 2

[medhead]

I'll ask my brother if he knows anything about ipad3. He was telling me that his company had to order ipad2 at least 12 months ago, with no specs or no prices, just based on a product code.

Apparently, when delivered apple also sent security guards to some locations.

 

[serfty]

Not that it's relevant for iPads due to price, but Customs can put a discretionary 20% depreciation on a used item when brought back into the country.

That means there can effectively be a $1124.99 allowance for near new (but used) goods.

 

[pshepvic]

Apparently, when delivered apple also sent security guards to some locations.

Yeah that's not uncommon - a friend used to be the logistics manager for Apple at their distribution/freight company in Australia back when the iPhone was first released, and the amount of security around the deliveries was huge.

 

[Cynicor]

I wonder about the data sharing claims, as if you use the smart gates there are no other computers between you arriving and seeing a customs/AQIS official. Means there is no way for them to recall what you claimed on the outbound flight. Not that I'm advocating tax evasion.

 

[LiamR]

Apparently, when delivered apple also sent security guards to some locations.

I work in IT, and I remember when we had a shipment of 100 iPads arriving, the ammount of security and paperwork around it was unbelievable. I have many friends that work for Apple, and they don't even know the specs on iProducts until after they are announced to the public.

 

[auspal]

I wonder about the data sharing claims, as if you use the smart gates there are no other computers between you arriving and seeing a customs/AQIS official. Means there is no way for them to recall what you claimed on the outbound flight. Not that I'm advocating tax evasion.

Neither am I but briefly what are the smart gates?

 

[DeKa]

Neither am I but briefly what are the smart gates?

Automated immigration.

 

[TonyHancock]

Neither am I but briefly what are the smart gates?

Smart Gate

 

[medhead]

I work in IT, and I remember when we had a shipment of 100 iPads arriving, the ammount of security and paperwork around it was unbelievable. I have many friends that work for Apple, and they don't even know the specs on iProducts until after they are announced to the public.

Still when you say to a wholesaler that they have 24 hours to commit to buying a product without specs that isn't going to be available for 12 months, how many do you want? It's a big ask IMO. Apple staff is one thing, the people you're trying to sell product to are something else again.

 

[serfty]

I wonder about the data sharing claims, as if you use the smart gates there are no other computers between you arriving and seeing a customs/AQIS official. Means there is no way for them to recall what you claimed on the outbound flight. Not that I'm advocating tax evasion.

Not an issue if you are under the $900 allowance, but if over, your form should be marked so.

This is still looked at by the customs/AQIS official even if you do use SmartGate.

In any case, your PP could easily be flagged and using Smartgate could result in "Today you will need to see a Customer Service Agent" type message.

 

[awilcockson]

Just to add another option. Salary sacrificing the iPad is a great way to get it even cheaper, you get the GST-exempt price, and also reduce the price due to paying pre-tax. You just need to be able to look the tax man in the eye and tell him that you use it predominantly for work purposes. Brings the base model down to a cash in hand cost of around $300

I did this last year for the iPad 1, seriously hoping that Apple delay my iPad 2 order until Friday (first day of the new FBT year) so I can salary sacrifice it as well.

The beauty of doing it this way is that because you aren't using the TRS, the iPad won't count towards your duty free allowance when you head overseas.

 

[pshepvic]

Just to add another option. Salary sacrificing the iPad is a great way to get it even cheaper, you get the GST-exempt price, and also reduce the price due to paying pre-tax. You just need to be able to look the tax man in the eye and tell him that you use it predominantly for work purposes. Brings the base model down to a cash in hand cost of around $300

I did this last year for the iPad 1, seriously hoping that Apple delay my iPad 2 order until Friday (first day of the new FBT year) so I can salary sacrifice it as well.

The beauty of doing it this way is that because you aren't using the TRS, the iPad won't count towards your duty free allowance when you head overseas.

I did the same last year with my iPad1 as well ... even with the savings I'm not sure I can justify another one this year though!

 

[markis10]

Just to add another option. Salary sacrificing the iPad is a great way to get it even cheaper, you get the GST-exempt price, and also reduce the price due to paying pre-tax. You just need to be able to look the tax man in the eye and tell him that you use it predominantly for work purposes. Brings the base model down to a cash in hand cost of around $300

I did this last year for the iPad 1, seriously hoping that Apple delay my iPad 2 order until Friday (first day of the new FBT year) so I can salary sacrifice it as well.

The beauty of doing it this way is that because you aren't using the TRS, the iPad won't count towards your duty free allowance when you head overseas.

A lot of employers will no longer do salary sacrifice for PCs etc as FBT is payable even though it may be under the 1K reporting limit, that coupled with the fact a salary sacrificed notebook/iPad cannot be depreciated makes it a lot less attractive compared to the regime in place in 2008 when the laws were changed. On the fact that it wont count to your DF allowance, unless you declare it on the way out it may! Its best if there is doubt to fill in a exported goods form if you are concerned:

http://www.customs.gov.au/webdata/resources/files/b263gst1.pdf

 

[awilcockson]

A lot of employers will no longer do salary sacrifice for PCs etc as FBT is payable even though it may be under the 1K reporting limit,http://www.customs.gov.au/webdata/resources/files/b263gst1.pdf

No FBT on laptops for "work purposes"

 

[serfty]

No FBT on laptops for "work purposes"

That's No FBT on laptops for "100%" "work purposes".

 

[awilcockson]

That's No FBT on laptops for "100%" "work purposes".

Correct, that's what I meant. I think the wording is actually "with only incidental personal use".

 

[auspal]

I am listening and learning so much from this thread

 

[Krispy78]

I intend to purchase an ipad 2 within one month of my overseas trip to save 10%

If you're heading online or into the shops to grab an iPad 2 tomorrow, and also heading overseas in the coming month, you can shave 10% off the cost of your iPad 2 by using the Tourist Refund Scheme (or TRS)

Did you forget to link the original article, Auspal?
How travellers can save 10% on their iPad 2 - Flights | hotels | frequent flyer | business class - Australian Business Traveller

 

[auspal]

I think at the time Krispy I had only made a few posts and the option wasnt available to me, so I copied it instead. Thanks.

 

[Bunty]

"so far (after many years of travelling to the US) I am unaware of any tourist tax rebate scheme for the US."

A few years ago I recall leaving New Orleans (Louisianna) and claiming the sales tax on clothing I had purchased on the way out of the State to New York (ie I wasn't even leaving the country, immediately). Not sure if the refund scheme is still available.