There are many pathways that you can take when coming to live in Australia on a permanent basis. The “Distinguished Talent Visa”, subclass 858, is one of them. This Visa allows you to stay in Australia on a permanent basis, and permits you to work and study in Australia.
As an individual living in Australia on a “Distinguished Talent Visa”, you need to be aware of your tax obligations. Below we outline the most common questions clients on the “Distinguished Talent Visa” want to know.
Is a person living in Australia on the Distinguished Talent Visa an Australian tax resident?
An individual living in Australia on a Distinguished Talent Visa is most likely an Australian tax resident.
This visa allows you to live in Australia on a permanent basis. If you choose to live in Australia on a permanent basis and take actions to make this move, then you would be considered to be an Australian tax resident.
However, if you simply use the visa to stay in Australia on a short term basis while continuing to live in your usual country of residence, then you would remain a foreign resident for tax purposes.
This means that the Visa itself is not evidence of tax residency, however it is a pathway that could allow you to become an Australian permanent resident, and accordingly, an Australian tax resident. You would still need to actually move to Australia and begin residing here.
If your intentions and living situation changes whilst in Australia, your tax residency status can also change.
What are the tax implications of moving to Australia on a Distinguished Talent Visa?
Assuming you are coming to Australia on a permanent basis, then moving to Australia on a Distinguished Talent Visa will mean you become a temporary Australian tax resident. This will mean that in Australia you may:
- be taxed on your worldwide income, including income that comes from your former home country
- need to obtain market valuations on any overseas assets you own in order to establish their cost base for capital gains purposes
- Be required to consider any double taxation issues with the country that you are departing from
- As a temporary resident you will not be subject to capital gains tax on property you hold overseas.
Since the Distinguished Talent Visa alone is not sufficient to confirm that you are becoming an Australian resident, it is important that you get your residency assessed and obtain adequate tax advice for your specific circumstances.
Should I sell my assets prior to moving to Australia?
Whether or not you sell your property and investments prior to moving to Australia is a personal decision that you should make based on your investment and financial needs and goals. You should always take financial advice from a qualified financial advisor.
From a tax perspective, you will only need to declare capital gains from the sale of your overseas assets if you become a resident and are not also a Temporary Resident before you sell them.
In this situation your assets are valued and taken to have been acquired at the time that you become a resident and are not still a Temporary Resident.
Assets that are subject to capital gains tax will be eligible for a 50% discount on the amount that is assessed, once they have been held for at least 12 months.
Getting adequate advice on the tax consequences of choosing when to sell your assets is something that should be done as soon as possible, so that you are able to make more informed decisions.
What happens with the taxes I am required to pay in my home country?
After moving to Australia on a permanent basis it is possible that you will still be required to pay income tax in your former country of residence.
If there is a Double Tax Agreement (DTA) between Australia and your former country of residence, then the DTA will contain provisions that minimise the potential of being taxed twice on the same income.
DTAs can minimise the amount of foreign tax that is paid on investment income such as interest. They also include tie breakers for situations where you are deemed to be a resident of both countries.
Paying Tax in Australia
Whether you are a permanent resident, a temporary resident, or a non resident of Australia, you will be required to lodge an Australian tax return on an annual basis while earning income in Australia.
Non residents are only required to include income that is sourced from Australia.
Permanent residents are required to include income from worldwide sources.
Under the Australian tax system your employer withholds some tax from your pay, known as PAYGW (pay as you go withholding). The PAYGW is remitted to the ATO who then offset this against your assessed tax liability for the year. Any excess PAYGW is refunded at this time, or a notice of payment is issued where you owe additional tax.
