Can TRS Officers Flag Someone to Be Checked on Arrival

Ltubzz on 25/11/2023 - 13:01
Last edited 25/11/2023 - 13:16 by 1 other user

I bought an iPhone 15 pro and wanted to claim tax return, but was stupid and was using the phone during the refund process, the TRS officer was very intimidating and kept asking me if I was going to bring it back. I said no and he said if I was to bring it back the item will be seized and I will have pay a fine.

Now I’m really scared and wondering if people can actually be flagged to check. It was only a $170 refund so not really worth it but have heard people doing this all the time with no issue.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

Travel Tourist Refund Scheme

Comments

  • Shadowsfury on 28/11/2023 - 08:13

    I've been warned about being checked but hasn't happened yet. I claim something almost every trip but now days I try keep it under the limits (my biggest claim was about $1k gst back)

  • kiwimex on 28/11/2023 - 08:58
    +2

    So you are committing fraud…..! why even bother asking the question. To save $170 you risk having a black mark against your name….some people.

  • payless69 on 28/11/2023 - 09:48

    Invest the $170 whilst away and pay income tax on the interest.
    Great savings?

  • cafeman on 28/11/2023 - 10:27
    +1

    If you're travelling with other people you can pool your tax free allowance. In a family with two kids and two adults, that's up to $2,700 of good tax free ($900 per adult and $450 per kid).

    You're also allowed to claim depreciation on the value of the good when working out the tax-free value. For a $2,000 laptop you'd struggle to show a 50% loss of value over a two-to-four week holiday but for a $1,200 phone, a 30% loss of value due to use isn't unreasonable. If you phone cost $1,700 you're probably over a reasonable depreciation allowance (48% to get you down to $900 by my calculation).

    Best bet is to be travelling with someone so you can pool your allowance. If not, declare it and you'll just have to pay the excess over $900. If you don't declare it and you have been flagged you'll be up for the full GST amount as well as fine.

    I haven't been flagged personally but I have declared my laptop coming back as the value was around $3,500 including accessories.

    • cyrax83 on 28/11/2023 - 10:35

      Did you have to pay GST on the laptop? There's so many people travelling with laptops I doubt anyone declares it

      • cafeman on 29/11/2023 - 11:14

        I volunteered it on return mainly because I wasn't sure if I'd get flagged or not. I ended up with the $90 GST refund but also peace of mind. On the other hand, I haven't ever bothered declaring my phones or tablets after claiming the GST rebate as I'm confident that they were always under the $900 threshold after accounting for depreciation from being used.

  • fl360 on 28/11/2023 - 10:47

    The officer just hated it because they were so busy, they also envied their other ex-colleagues who suddenly became so rich and left the force, and they kept showing off their luxury holidays on IG, you get what I mean.

  • skillet on 28/11/2023 - 11:34
    -1

    If you claim TRS above certain amount you will be flag. This happens too often I over heard the staff warning people who claims TRS luxury watches. It's super common.

    They flag you when you return, the officer marks your incoming passenger card after checking out the computer. So you take the autogate if you don't want to be marked. Passengers bags will still be sent for xray down the quarantine queues it depends how busy the airport.

    You will still be questioned at the x-rays and they also look up your passport info at the x-ray stations. If you are caught you will be fined and flagged for many years.

    • mini2 on 28/11/2023 - 11:43

      Must've been a recent thing as I was TRS'ing a few watches in the past but I've left it overseas with the relo's then picked it up on the next trip.

      Never got bothered by anyone.

  • Cluster on 28/11/2023 - 12:49
    +5

    A bigger issue here is why is the limit still just $900? It was $900 20 years ago. It should be around $1500 by now.

    • Daabido on 28/11/2023 - 19:44
      -1

      Starts with a H, ends with an n.

  • mlburnian on 28/11/2023 - 15:59
    +1

    Tried to claim trs for an Apple Watch…the line was 50 people deep…not worth the trouble

  • mdell95 on 28/11/2023 - 17:24

    So if i bought a new laptop in OZ but i live in NZ i have to repay the GST upon arrival even though i will be leaving a week later?

    • ChatCPT on 29/11/2023 - 10:02

      Why aren’t you claiming it a week later

      • mdell95 on 29/11/2023 - 12:29

        No so I'm returning as a tourist but have a TRS item already and claimed on my last visit

        • ChatCPT on 29/11/2023 - 13:38

          Doesn’t matter what youre returning as. Same rules apply for aussies and tourists alike

  • peterw1 on 28/11/2023 - 18:53

    if you get stung, claim a depreciation of 20%, then pay the difference, ie threshold is $1100 not $900 as item is not new anymore it has depreciated. its like driving a new car off the lot, once driven out it has depreciated.

    • jackspratt on 28/11/2023 - 22:13
      +1

      I don't think you get to decide the rate of depreciation - it would be up to the discretion of the customs officer.

  • krim on 28/11/2023 - 20:40

    I've been flagged and checked on return.

    Two officers made a beeline to me at the baggage carousel after clearing immigration. They knew who i was, asked for my declaration card to see what i had answered.

    I also had reservations on whether to declare or not and fortunately i chose to declare.

    Trs refund was about $1k on luxury watches.

    Those saying just give it to someone else, the officer said it doesn't matter who brings it back to the country, it's still an imported good where duty has not been paid. Your partner/friend/etc runs the risk if they are importing the goods and the border officer is smart enough to make the link back to your trs refund.

    Good luck in whatever you choose to do.

    • illusion99 on 29/11/2023 - 07:09
      +1

      How do they link the person you gave the goods to take back to another persons trs refund? If they are able to do that they must be able to identify and link the personal relationships of everyone who comes into the country.

      • krim on 29/11/2023 - 08:18

        Im not sure if they are smart enough or have the systems (or resources to do so). I'm calling out that the other person bringing back the goods is importing something that duty hasnt been paid on so technically should declare it.

        If said person was your partner and travelled back with you on the same flight and was standing next to you when your getting checked. Id assume an officer with any smarts would also ask your partner if they have anything to declare and/or check them as well. Good luck trying to explain yourself to the officer that the engagement ring on their finger or item in their luggage that fits the description of your trs claim isnt the same item.

        Especially after doing a 12hr red eye flight from wherever you just came from. Bonus points if you can get through this with a raging toddler and a pissed off partner.

        • illusion99 on 29/11/2023 - 09:29

          So workaround is to go through customs seperately?

          • jackspratt on 29/11/2023 - 11:28
            +1

            @illusion99: Not really.

            If they are so inclined, Customs could investigate whether you booked flights together; checked out and in together; and sat together out and in.

            Customs may also ask if you (or they) are carrying goods on behalf of any other person.

            • illusion99 on 29/11/2023 - 12:39

              @jackspratt: That’s a lot of effort to investigate. If the person who didn’t do a TRS refund went through first and got out without any questions then even if customs found out you were traveling together how would they prove that person is carrying TRS goods on behalf of someone else given they have already left the secure airport area?

              • jackspratt on 02/12/2023 - 18:27

                @illusion99: Customs operate beyond the boundaries of the airport terminal.

                • illusion99 on 02/12/2023 - 19:33

                  @jackspratt: So Customs will check the flight records to see who you are travelling with and then get a search warrant from the courts to search that persons house in the hope that they have possession of the goods that another person did a TRS refund on in order to fine them and get their tax back? Right…

                  In that case it will take them at least 1 day to organise all that so why can’t you give the goods to a friend to hold on to for a while? Are customs going to investigate and search the houses of all your friends and family as well?

                  Again seems a lot of effort for TRS refund issue. Probably cost more in labour and manpower than the tax lost

                  • jackspratt on 02/12/2023 - 20:41

                    @illusion99: I suggest you look back a few posts, where I said:

                    If they are so inclined, …….

                    Also, have a look at S195 of the Customs Act.

                    • illusion99 on 02/12/2023 - 21:05

                      @jackspratt: Pass. No judge in Australia will approve a warrant just based on the fact 2 people are traveling together. So even if they were so inclined they likely would be shit out of luck

  • Feeblely on 28/11/2023 - 20:50

    if I bought a phone for $700 and then declared it on the way back, would I have to pay anything?

    • krim on 28/11/2023 - 21:05

      Is it over the $900 threshold?

      • Feeblely on 29/11/2023 - 00:48

        No. $700 new only

        Edit. Basically if I buy a $700 phone in Australia, declare it via TRS and then take it back to Australia whilst also declaring it, do I have to pay back the gst?

        • bxy00 on 29/11/2023 - 04:54

          No, you won't as the item cost is below $900. You are not required to declare if the total value is below this amount (I think)

  • Poor Ass on 28/11/2023 - 23:08
    -1

    Would a new set of tits count towards the threshold

    • jackspratt on 29/11/2023 - 01:57

      No, but a greatly improved ass might.

      Go for it.

      • Poor Ass on 29/11/2023 - 08:16

        Like a Rich Ass?

  • knk on 29/11/2023 - 07:36
    +2

    Unless he took down the serial number there is no way to tell it's the same phone anyway

  • ddilrat on 29/11/2023 - 12:29

    What you're not supposed to claim stuff you're bringing back??

    I had always assumed it was there to stop being holding off on buying things until while they were away. Just to keep the dollars inside Straya

  • RedDevil860 on 29/11/2023 - 14:09

    You can salary sacrifice 1 device per year. Phone is part of it. Depreciate the balance

    • illusion99 on 29/11/2023 - 16:24

      Not all workplaces offer salary sacrifice of an electronic device

    • Poor Ass on 29/11/2023 - 18:42

      no you can't unless it is for work purposes or only the work % can be

      and most place abuse this

      if it is really for work purposes then work would give you one don't ya think

      • RedDevil860 on 30/11/2023 - 21:32

        Laptops, mobiles can all be added as work devices.

        • Poor Ass on 30/11/2023 - 22:51

          dude I know but if it was 100% for work and your employer is not paying then they must be tight if they are not providing one

          if you are using it just for private / non related purposes then it shouldn't be salary sacrifice as it won't be an otherwise deductible item

          of course some employers don't care and just let you do it

  • Chrool on 29/11/2023 - 16:39

    Funny this thread came up. I went to Fiji last week and brought my rtx 4080 to get the GST back. TRS agent did ask if I intended to bring it and back told me to tick yes to the over $900 question when I did. I travelled with my wife so I intended to pool our allowances. When we got back the customs agent gave me the third degree about TRS is only for tourists in Australia and said I was lucky she would let me off. I'm pretty sure anyone could use it right? I know a few things have changed but theres literally nothing concrete, its all up to interpretation.

  • Ryk on 29/11/2023 - 19:25

    Simple if travelling with friends or family.
    Person 1 claims the TRS.
    Person 2 returns with the goods.

  • lilyesp on 29/11/2023 - 23:37

    Simple- don't buy an overpriced iphone. buy an oppo or similar. you wont have this problem.

  • dogzilla on 29/11/2023 - 23:40

    I know of people that got flagged for expensive gear leaving the country, TBH i would be surprised if TRS guys would be keeping an eye out for you for an iPhone and would be able to match the serial number and whatnot.

    Mind you - using the phone while claiming the refund is quite funny and doesn't surprise me that they hit you up.

  • stuarty9 on 04/12/2023 - 22:29

    So if one claims TRS for an item, let’s say an iPad that costs $1700. And declares it on arrival back into Australia, travelling as 2x adults. Pooling the allowance and given the product is under that $1800 pool, would you be required to pay back the TRS? Do both people need to be present to do the TRS?

  • mushyboy on 25/12/2023 - 22:41

    Bought a watch for 1k. So over the $900 threshold…. should I declare or just run with it fingers crossed? lol

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