Probably already screw up, as both the TRS app and website don't accept ARN.
But just want to make sure: invoice shows GST in AUD, but the company (overseas) doesn't have an ABN, only an ARN.
In such case the purchase is not eligible for TRS?
(Guess not if can't even get it into the app, but maybe there's way around it, who knows, no harm asking I guess).
You can't claim the GST paid for goods purchased overseas and imported into Australia.
https://www.abf.gov.au/entering-and-leaving-australia/touris…
Thanks for the link to confirm, a lesson learnt for future reference.
Possibly some technicality about only tax invoices from Australian companies are eligible for TRS. But still, from a consumer point of view, GST was paid and goods was obtained in Australia, isn’t most things are imported anyway?
Or is it to do with commercially imported products attract additional import duties, GST is just passed on. In this case there was no import duty, therefore you can’t also claim GST back?
If the goods were obtained in Australia does that mean you bought it from an Australian company who did the imports? Or by "obtained" did you mean you collected it from the post office?
I think the rules are pretty clear cut, if you buy it from an Australian business with ABN and have paid GST you can claim it back via TRS if you're travelling.
No, it’s not an Australian company, but the invoice shows GST component, and has an ARN (ATO Reference Number) and goods was delivered to an Australian address, so GST was definitely in play.
I have since looked into the ARN situation a bit further. It seems that foreign companies can collect GST with promise to pay ATO quarterly, but there’s no real enforcement to ensure GST is actually paid. I guess for this reason ARN invoice is not acceptable for TRS purpose.
Yeah, it's a verifiability issue. With Australian businesses who have an ABN, TRA claims can be audited and their records checked. With an overseas business, the ATO has no real way of doing that.
But still, from a consumer point of view, GST was paid and goods was obtained in Australia, isn’t most things are imported anyway?
The whole consumer point of view of the scheme is to encourage purchases from Australian businesses. You did not.
It’s a global company with presence in Australia, but I did not know their web order can be filled by their overseas entity.
Is it a fair expectation that a consumer needs to do background check on a company’s accounting and fulfilment practices before placing an online order?
The order summary page shows minimal delivery charge and separate GST figures, it doesn’t suggest anything about goods coming from overseas.
To add to the confusion, I received an alert from the bank saying an international charge was attempted and denied because I disabled international online charge.
This had happened before with another company’s online order, the charge was in AUD but strangely initiated from overseas, I temporarily enabled international charge and it was all fine, no international transaction fees, goods arrived with tax invoice showing ABN, all legit.
The company in this case is also a reputable one, so I didn’t think twice to temporarily allowed the charge to come through. But later I found out not only the product was shipped from overseas, there was also international transaction fees, and now the TRS situation.
Live and learn.
Is it a fair expectation
Not really. No "Global" companies want to fall under our archaic company tax laws so "presence" in Australia means absolutely nothing lol.
background check on a company’s accounting and fulfilment practices
Please.
It's just a single simple question. Don't be dramatic. You knew you wanted to claim under the scheme. Never assume anything from anyone or anything. Ask before handing over your hard earned money.
If it's a "global" company then surely you can get an answer with a quick phone call, email, web chat or Facebook message.
I daresay if you provide the name of the company right now we'd all see it likely says the entity in the footer of their homepage or cart system. Is there a reason you haven't named them?
Just trying to focus on TRS and ARN rather than discussing what the company did and if it’s right or wrong.
Don’t mean to say there’s any deceptive practices. But was surprised a simple online order can lead to such outcome.
If it’s any consolation, better learn this from a small purchase than a big one. But was a bit annoyed, waited to order within the time frame, might as well order early.
@browser: Your use of the terms "technicality", "consumer POV", "Australian presence" is clearly wanting, or hoping, to pin some of the blame of them.
If you don't want to know and don't want to reveal the company then you may as well end the thread here.
You probably already know the answer.
Also I believe purchases from overseas are not eligible, even if they attracted GST.