Tourist Refund Scheme TRS Question

Bowchkawowow on 31/07/2023 - 11:32

Had a quick look don't think anyone has asked this, hopefully not a double up!

Have a question regarding bring goods back, if you claim TRS and get $220 back that's all fine as it's under the duty-free limit of $900 per adult?

Information from these two websites:
https://www.abf.gov.au/entering-and-leaving-australia/touris…
https://www.pointhacks.com.au/gst-tourist-refund-scheme-trs-…

Declare any goods you bring back to Australia, for which a TRS claim was made by you or another person when the goods left Australia.

If you bring goods back into Australia for which a GST refund via the TRS has been claimed, the goods must be declared, and if the value of those goods (combined with any other overseas/duty free purchases) exceeds the passenger concession allowance, any applicable GST and/or duty may need to be paid unless another concession (example, all personal clothing – except furs) is available.

a duty-free limit applies to each passenger entering Australia – $900 for adults

Travel Tourist Refund Scheme

Comments

  • kanad on 31/07/2023 - 11:35
    +9

    If your TRS GST refund in $220 it means the goods costed $2200 which is above the duty free limit of $900.

    • CyberMurning on 31/07/2023 - 11:39

      oh…. so that limit 900 is the actual good cost, not the amount tax you get back…

      • jv on 31/07/2023 - 11:47

        If you're aged 18 and over, you can bring up to $900 AUD worth of goods claimed under the TRS back into Australia. In the case you're younger than 18, the maximum value is $450 AUD. This allowable amount of goods is called a 'passenger concession. '

        • ddhar on 31/07/2023 - 11:57

          Can anyone confirm if the $900 threshold includes or excludes GST that was paid (for items purchased in Australia, claimed under TRS & brought back to Australia)?

          • GG57 on 31/07/2023 - 11:59
            +1

            @ddhar: I think it should be the value exclusive of GST.
            The same basis of value would apply to other goods purchased overseas.

            • ddhar on 31/07/2023 - 12:05

              @GG57: Thanks. Looks like I need to be planning for a sub-$990 phone upgrade 60 days before my next travel.

          • happydude on 31/07/2023 - 12:15
            +1

            @ddhar: It is the value of the goods on re-entry which is not what you paid for them as they are now second hand and probably used.

            Hit Gumtree or Facebook marketplace it get an idea of the value of the item. My understanding is that is what it is now worth for the thresholds.

            The $900 limit can be pooled for families.

            • Bowchkawowow on 31/07/2023 - 12:17

              @happydude: so If traveling with wife it's 900+900=1800?

              • happydude on 31/07/2023 - 12:19

                @Bowchkawowow: Correct. I don't think the kids get an alcohol limit though.

                https://www.abf.gov.au/entering-and-leaving-australia/duty-f…

                Travelling with family
                Families coming back to Australia on the same flight or voyage may combine (pool) their individual duty free concession limits. To do this, families must stay together when going through Customs clearance.

                A family includes a person and his or her de facto partner (including same-sex couples) and any of their children under 18 years of age; or a husband and wife, and any of their children.

                For example, a family of two adults and two children would have a combined duty free allowance of AUD2700.

                • jv on 31/07/2023 - 12:35
                  -1

                  @happydude:

                  Families coming back to Australia

                  What is their exact definition of 'family'?

                  Does it include grandparents, cousins ?? They are all family too.

                  The interpretation above is not very specific.

                  Do they require proof of a de facto relationship?

                  What about people who are in a polygamous relationship? Or those cultures that partake in a 'group marriage' ?

              • bargaino on 31/07/2023 - 14:12

                @Bowchkawowow: Assuming your wife is over 18, yes.

            • Bowchkawowow on 31/07/2023 - 14:08

              @happydude: Regarding value of the goods on re-entry going of second hand value, Is this how it works?

  • FoxJump on 31/07/2023 - 12:24

    What if …
    I buy a phone say, worth $900 inc gst; claim it via work as "salary packaging"; and then also do the TRS on it ?

    Is all that double dipping bad karma?

    • KaTst3R on 31/07/2023 - 12:30
      +4

      Why do you feel bad? The government is double dipping us all the time.

      We pay GST on after tax money. Tax twiced here.

      As long your salary packaged phone has a clear GST amount on the invoice, you are entitled to claim TRS.

      • fozzie on 04/09/2023 - 22:20

        So you can claim trs, bring it back and then also salary package (or tax return if you are using for work?). That would make phone/laptop pretty cheap. But could you get in trouble?

    • happydude on 31/07/2023 - 12:31

      When you salary package who's name is the invoice in?

      It has to be in yours for the TRS Claim.

      • FoxJump on 31/07/2023 - 12:52

        mine
        i buy,
        my invoice
        i give copy of invoice for salary package.
        but still my name on my invoice

    • Pelicannn on 31/07/2023 - 13:46

      It was ruled out years ago, but if your question is could and would you get away with it? Probably. Not worth a fraud charge for me for the sake of $90 though.

      • Porker on 31/07/2023 - 16:14

        Interesting.

        As it were, one other time I claimed TRS on an item which I brought back into the country and eventually returned to the store as it wasn't suitable.

        I had no idea on how to refund the TRS, not that I 'really' tried too though.

        Wonder if that's also fraud - I expect it is (?), but claiming TRS can't mean that I shouldn't rely on the consumer product protections/rights etc.

      • meowsers on 31/07/2023 - 17:22

        Not worth the government's time for a fraud charge either. Especially for the sake of $90.

  • eug on 31/07/2023 - 18:22
    +1

    BTW when you bring the item back it's considered second-hand and would have depreciated so the value will be less than what you paid. You still have to declare it and let customs decide. People have quoted 20-25% in this long thread on WP.

    • Bowchkawowow on 31/07/2023 - 19:56
      +1

      Thank you I wasn't sure as JV said it's not how it works.

  • mr_asstight on 13/08/2023 - 18:10

    Hello, does anyone know if the TRS checks your payment method and will be asked to show the card used to pay for the goods on the invoice?

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join