Frequently Asked Questions
TAX
What is a Tax File Number (TFN)?
A Tax File Number is a 9 digit number that is issued to you on request by the Australian Tax Office (ATO). The number is unique and identifies you to the ATO. In order to work in Australia you must have a Tax File Number.
click here to apply for a TFN.
What is an Australian Business Number (ABN)?
An Australian Business Number is an 11 digit number that is issued to you upon request by the Australian Tax Office (ATO). Like a TFN this number is unique and identifies your business to the ATO. Whilst working in Australia as a sub contractor (farming, labouring, etc) you may be required by your employer to obtain an ABN.
click here to apply for an ABN.
Am I a resident or non resident for tax purposes?
You will be deemed as a resident for income tax purposes if you have been working and living in one place in Australia for 6 months, or if you plan/intend to stay working and living in once place in Australia for 6 months. You behaviour (living and working) will be used in determining your residency status.
Do I need to lodge an income tax return?
Yes. Australian Tax Law requires any person, whether a permanent or temporary resident, who has worked in Australia to lodge an income tax return.
How can I lodge my income tax return with Backpacker Tax Refunds?
Its easy, click on forms and select the income tax year that you need to lodge. Download our authority form. Complete your form and attach any PAYG Payment Summaries/Final Pay Slips that you may have and either email, fax or post your forms back to us. Once we receive your completed forms we will contact you to let you know and we will start preparing your income tax return immediately.
What is your fee?
Our fee for preparing and lodging your income tax return is calculated based on the tax refund you receive.
Our fee is 10% of your refund to a maximum capped fee of $143.
For example, if your refund is AUD $1,000, then our fee will be $100 (which is 10% of $1,000), however, if your refund is AUD $1,430, then our fee will be $143 (capped fee of $143).
How much will I get back?
The amount of your refund will depend on your individual circumstances. Things taken into account when determining a income tax refund are your gross income, the amount of tax deducted from your income, any allowances withheld and whether or not you have any work related expenses.
To get a free quote phone our office now on 02 9550 5546.
When is the Financial Year / Tax Year?
This is the period from the 1st July to the 30th June
What is a PAYG payment summary?
A PAYG Payment Summary (formerly called a Group Certificate) is a document you receive from your employer once you either finish working for them or once the financial year ends. It includes details of your gross earnings for the full or part financial year, shows how much tax was withheld and includes details of any allowances received from your employer. The PAYG Payment Summary also includes your name, Tax File Number, your employers name and their ABN.
What is a Statement of Earnings?
A statement of earnings is a document provided by your employer. This is normally provided as an interim measure until your PAYG Payment Summary is issued. A statement of earnings is produced on letter head from your employer and details the same information as a PAYG Payment Summary would. It includes your name, Tax File Number, Gross earnings, tax withheld and allowances.
What if I don’t have a PAYG Payment Summary/Statement of Earnings?
We understand that whilst you are travelling it will be easy to misplace your documents. Just keep a record of the phone numbers of your employers and we will retrieve these documents for you.
Is there a fee to retrieve any lost documents?
Yes, we charge a fee of $5 per document to chase any missing PAYG Summaries
What are examples of work related expenses?
Keep copies of all your receipts for any work related expenses incurred during employment. E.g., Union Fees; RSA/RCG; Green Card Courses; Safety Equipment (safety boots, high visibility vest, etc); Stationary; Tools; Travel records between jobs and work sites; Uniform and Laundry receipts. This will then be used when preparing your income tax return.
How long will it take to receive my refund?
If you are lodging your income tax return for previous tax years and we have all your documents, once lodged your refund will take 7-14 days
If you are lodging your final income tax return (because you are leaving Australia), and we have all your documents, once lodged the process can take 6-8 weeks (The reason for this time frame is due to the fact that early requests for tax refunds are lodged by paper, and take longer to be processed by the tax office). If we have to chase any missing documents your refund may take longer.
How will I know what is happening with my income tax return/refund?
We will keep you up to date throughout on our progress. Once your income tax return is lodged we will advise you so that you know how long It’s going to take to get your refund. Once your refund is received we will transfer this as soon as its possible and we will email you/call you to let you know. If you need an update you can call us on 02 9550 5546 or email us at info@backpackertaxrefunds.com
Is there a fee to transfer my refund into my Australian Bank Account?
Yes, there will be a $35 fee charged for any refunds deposited into your overseas bank account. This fee will be deducted directly from your refund (this is the only bank fee charged by our bank. Please confirm with your nominated overseas bank whether or not they charge a fee to accept a transfer from an Australian Bank Account, as this is beyond our control).
We will inform you via email when your refund is deposited into your bank account, so that you can look out for it. Generally, the time it takes for your funds to be available depends on your individual bank.
Is there a fee to transfer my refund into my Overseas/Foreign Bank Account?
Yes, there will be a $35 fee charged for any refunds deposited into your overseas bank account. This fee will be deducted directly from your refund (this is the only bank fee charged by our bank. Please confirm with your nominated overseas/foreign bank whether or not they charge a fee to accept a transfer from an Australian Bank Account, as this is beyond our control).
We will inform you via email when your refund is deposited into your bank account, so that you can look out for it. Generally, the time it takes for your funds to be available depends on your individual bank.
I have lodged by Income Tax Return and have received no refund is this correct?
Let us know and we can review the lodged income tax return for you and make sure that all the submitted information was correct. It could be that you have deemed yourself as a non resident for tax purposes when in fact you may qualify as a resident under the residency test. If anything is wrong we can lodge an amended income tax return for you and help you get any additional refund that you are entitled to.
* There will be a fee charged. The fee charged will vary depending on your individual circumstances. If you fall into this category please call us for a fee estimate.
SUPERANNUATION
What is superannuation?
Superannuation (super) is an investment scheme designed to provide money for your retirement.
If you have worked during your stay in Australia and earned over $450 over a continuous rolling 4 week period, your employer will have contributed 9% of your gross weekly earnings to a superannuation fund on your behalf (You will not be entitled to superannuation contributions if you earned less than the prescribed amount).
When can I claim back my superannuation?
Once you have departed Australia permanently and your Australian Visa has expired (for working holiday makers on a 417 visa this is normally a year after you have entered Australia) you can lodge a superannuation claim.
How can I claim back my superannuation?
In order for us to prepare and lodge your superannuation claim you will be required to complete our DASP Authority Form and forward it to us via email, fax or post.
You must also include certified copies (certified by a Justice of the Peace) of the following documents:
- A copy of your arrival stamp
- A copy of your departure stamp
- A copy of the photograph page from your passport
- A copy of your visa label (if you have one)
- 1 other form of ID, such as, Drivers Licence, Bank Card, Proof of Age Card, etc
Once we are in receipt of your completed forms we will contact you via telephone or email to discuss this with you further.
*Your completed DASP Authority form can be forwarded to us via email, fax or post, however, your Power of Attorney-Appointment of Agent form and all your certified documents must be original copies and must be posted to us (photocopies will not be accepted by your superannuation funds)
Who can certify my documents?
The required documents can be certified by a;
- Barrister
- Doctor
- Judge
- Justice of the Peace
- Minister of religion (who is authorised to celebrate marriages)
- Police office (rank of sergeant or above, or highest ranking officer in the station)
- Bank, building society or credit union officer of at least 5 years service
- Sheriffs officer, or
- Solicitor
You must have all of your copies of your original documents certified by an authorised person. To do this, you must provide the authorised person with the original documents and the copies so that they can make sure they are identical. The authorised person must certify that each page is a true copy by:
- writing or stamping ‘certified true copy’ on each page
- Signing each page
- Dating each page, and
- Printing their name and qualification on each page (for example, Tony Smith, Justice of the Peace)
How much will it cost to claim back my superannuation?
Our fee for preparing and lodging your superannuation claim is a flat fee of $143.
What if I don’t know who my superannuation has been paid to?
Don’t worry as long as you provide us with the names and telephone numbers of your previous/current employers we can chase all this information for you at no extra cost.
How much money will I get back?
We will get you as much as we possibly can. The amount of your refund depends on factors like the contributions made by your employer and the type of funds you have paid into. The amount of superannuation you can claim back is subject to the administration and insurance fees of your superannuation scheme, as well as a 30% withdrawal tax deducted by the Australian Government due to you withdrawing your superannuation early (before retirement).
How long will it take for me to receive my refund?
Once we receive all your documents we will prepare and lodge your claim for you. Once your paperwork is submitted and received by the Superannuation Scheme the processing time is normally 6-8 weeks. We will regularly keep you updated on our progress.