Saturday, January 13, 2007

Income tax - what you pay in Australia

Tax is a highly complex issue and needs to be worked out on an individual basis. Income tax can be structured in various ways for employees in Australia.

While it is possible to 'pay as you go' with tax, you still have to submit a tax return at the end of the financial year, which falls on 30 June. It is advisable to use the services of an accountant to do this.

If you start your employment as a salaried worker, visit an accountant to find the best tax set-up for you. There are two kinds of qualified accountant in Australia: the certified practising accountant or CPA, or chartered accountant. There is little difference between the two, but make sure your accountant has either qualification.

For basic information on tax rates, fringe benefits tax - which affects employment benefits like company cars and business expenses - superannuation and family tax benefits visit the Australian Tax Office website.

If you will be paid a salary you can work out your weekly, fortnightly or monthly tax deductions in the tax calculation section of the website.

The amount of tax you pay also depends on your visa status. If you are a foreign resident, use this table as a guide.
Foreign resident tax rates
A guide to the amount of tax you pay...
Weekly earnings Weekly rate
A$0 - $383 29 cents for $1 earnings
$383 - $960 $111 plus 30 cents for each $1 of earnings over $383
$961 - $1,152 $242 plus 42 cents for each $1 of earnings over $960
$1,153 and over $365 plus 47 cents for each $1 of earnings over $1,153

If you are an Australian resident, the individual income tax rates for 2006-07 are:

Taxable income Tax on this income
$0 – $6,000 Nil
$6,001 – $25,000 15c for each $1 over $6,000
$25,001 – $75,000 $2,850 plus 30c for each $1 over $25,000
$75,001 – $150,000 $17,850 plus 40c for each $1 over $75,000
Over $150,000 $47,850 plus 45c for each $1 over $150,000

1 comment:

sundar said...

South Australia: South Australia is the country’s driest state, which means that outdoor activities require careful planning. Not only is drinking water hard to come by, but also dense forests and woodlands that might provide shade and shelter from winds are scarce. In summer, temperatures soar, particularly in the north of the state, so travelers should save ore arduous undertakings for the winter months. South Australia’s major landforms include the series of rugged mountain ranges that runs north from Adelaide culminating in the Flinders and Gammon ranges; these provide plenty of challenges for walkers, cyclists and climbers. In the south-east, the vast lagoons of the Coorong and the 404 miles of the Murray River that wend from the border with New South Wales and Victoria to the sea are favoured by canoeists and kayakers. Caving is also popular in South Australia, perhaps because the state has the best cave diving and some of the best dry caving in the country. Adventure Further!