Amazon purchases and new GST Rules

[Beardy]

If the government was really serious about GST avoidance they'd be doing something about the black economy. The introduction of the GST was supposed to wipe out the black economy - what a joke! It actually made it a whole lot easier and more attractive space to work in. The only reason you don't hear Gerry Harvey bleating about it is because the people who do operate there aren't his direct competitors. So, like everything else, it all comes down to self interest.

I thought the GST did address the black economy pretty well?
Sure there might be a discount for cash for a service of some description here and there but the vendor with the cash usually uses the money to purchase goods or services of some description so GST revenue gets generated again........so in the circle of the transactions the government misses out on a drink here and there but gets plenty of sips along the way whereas pre GST they got nothing

[ian]

You Canadians burnt thier collective psyche deeply with that one.

They aren't letting it go

Sneaky Canadians!

'cept it were British Regiments.
Years ago I knew a bloke who had served in one of the British regiments involved. Apparently this regiment delights in inviting visiting US officers to the Mess and seating them on cushions and serving them using plates and cutlery looted from the White House in 1814.

[woodPixel]

Good news everybody: https://www.gizmodo.com.au/2018/06/a...hat-youll-get/

Makes it all a bit more palatable

(oh, the pun!!!)

[barri]

That is good news but you have to use Aussie Amazon where the prices are ridiculous. Microjig's Grripper, for example, is $115 at Carbatec and an unbelievable $342 at AU Amazon and $98 delivered to Australia from US Amazon. This is really shattering for me. All my saw blades, table saw accessories, router bits etc etc etc have been bought from Amazon US at substantially cheaper prices than you can get here. The only minor negative is that you have to wait about 9 days to get it. No big deal.

On a side note the CBA sent me an email that all bank issued Amex cards would be cancelled by November. Why, I don't know but most of those Amazon purchases have been made using an Amex card which gets me triple points and is easier to use overseas in some situations. So I am p..... off with all of this

[ian]

In terms of non compliance by overseas entities, it appears that the ATO might get very serious. (From a PWC explanatory note https://www.pwc.com.au/tax/taxtalk/a...ly-29mar18.pdf)

The ATO has already commenced compliance activities for the inbound intangibles measures introduced in July 2017, and has issued assessments in instances of non-compliance. We would expect the ATO will take a similar approach in relation to the low value goods measures.
The ATO has also clearly stated it will use all available powers to ensure compliance (in cases where their initial education / communication strategies fail) and this may include:
 Raising default assessments.
 Seeking judgment against taxpayers to get the matter into the public domain.
 Writing to other tax authorities or other regulators regarding non-compliance in Australia.
 Garnisheeing payments from Australia.
 Geo-blocking the website; and
 Seizing assets held in Australia.

could be fun and games down the track.

[Beardy]

That all sounds great with their tough talk but that only works if they have a legal presence in Australia
Good luck chasing down an O/S company and garnishing their accounts

[ian]

The phrase PWC used was garnisheeing payments from Australia.
The "fun and games" might include billing your credit card for GST owed by an overseas supplier.

[Beardy]

The phrase PWC used was garnisheeing payments from Australia.
The "fun and games" might include billing your credit card for GST owed by an overseas supplier.

But if the O/S vendor has already charged you GST the ATO debt lies with them not the purchaser.

The point above that one, “writing a letter to other tax authorities” probably shows how little authority they have O/S

[woodPixel]

The point above that one, “writing a letter to other tax authorities” probably shows how little authority they have O/S

Perhaps the letter will be very sternly worded....

[ian]

But if the O/S vendor has already charged you GST the ATO debt lies with them not the purchaser.

not necessarily.
I'm not sure who apart from the ATO knows the full extent of the powers they wield. Nor do we really know what data they get from our banks and credit card providers.
it's not inconceivable that GST owed by a foreign supplier in respect to an order you placed 12 months ago might be added to your current order with the same supplier. That could be construed as "garnisheeing payments from Australia" -- which is a very broad term

[q9]

all sounds like it is going to be very expensive to administer, enforce and collect. Let's see if this lasts more than 2 years.

Sent from my MI 5s using Tapatalk

[FenceFurniture]

It's a 3 year trial apparently.

[q9]

It's a 3 year trial apparently.

like I said, let's see if lasts more than 2...

I suspect it will suffer massive cost blowouts, and other more important compliance issues will suffer. But I suppose that could be the entire point.

Sent from my MI 5s using Tapatalk

[Bushmiller]

I believe most of the above is related to new goods and companies. How will the proposals be applied to private individuals and second hand goods, and in particular where there are multiple suppliers?

Regards
Paul

[FenceFurniture]

Yeah, I nearly added, "but let's see how long...."

I'm absolutely certain the various Govt players have no idea what they have bitten off to chew, and it wouldn't surprise me if it was clobbered in 6 months. Of course I'm assuming there that there is someone of rank who is half smart in one of those departments, who can also make themselves heard.