I had a few questions about TRS Claims so decided to shoot them an email. Figured others would be interested in their responses.
| Question | Response |
|---|---|
| If you fly overseas for a holiday are you able to claim TRS on an item if you are bringing that item back into Australia? | You can claim on goods which you are bringing back to Australia. However, if the goods on which you claim and bring back exceed your passenger duty concession of $900, then you must declare this on Question 3 of the Incoming Passenger Card and will be required to repay the GST. Penalties apply for false declarations. |
| If you return to Australia with goods which you have claimed a GST refund under, then is the value $900 per person calculated ex-GST? For example a $1000 item – if I claim TRS on, would be calculated as a $900 item for the concession. | The passenger concession applies to the value of the goods when they are brought back. Therefore it is the GST exclusive price if you have claimed a refund under TRS. Please note that for a $1000 (GST inclusive) item, the GST is $90.91 and the GST exclusive price is $909.09 and this would thus still exceed your passenger concession. |
| Is there any depreciation calculated on goods? For example 0-2 months 20% etc… | Depreciation is not applied to goods claimed under the TRS. Therefore, it is the purchase price of the goods on which the passenger concession is calculated. |
Further information is available from the Department website: www.abf.gov.au
Please contact us if you have any further queries.
Most information can be found at: https://www.abf.gov.au/entering-and-leaving-australia/touris…
Despite the rules I have never run into problems bringing goods over the concession back into the country. From what I hear/suspect they will flag particularly large claims which are worth their time to check upon return.