TRS Advice: Multiple Claims on Same Item with GST repaid

mun4 on 16/11/2024 - 17:08
Last edited 16/11/2024 - 18:36 by 1 other user

Hi, I'm planning several overseas trips in the coming weeks and have recently purchased a new laptop.

Does anyone know if the same item can be approved for a TRS GST refund multiple times? Specifically:

  • On the first outbound trip, I submit a TRS claim for the GST refund.
  • Upon returning, I declare the item and repay the GST.
  • On the second outbound trip, I submit another TRS claim for the GST refund.
  • Upon returning again, I declare the item and repay the GST.

There's no double-dipping as the GST is refunded upon departure and repaid upon return each time. Is this allowed? Effectively, does the customs cancel out the TRS claim each time the same item (and its invoice) is brought back and GST repaid?

Thanks.

Travel Tourist Refund Scheme

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Comments

  • keji on 16/11/2024 - 17:15
    +10

    Sounds sus

      • PadreOzv on 16/11/2024 - 17:33
        +8

        To reduce your losses, best bet to insure your items. TRS is for a different use.

      • bobbified on 16/11/2024 - 17:36
        +1

        this approach would help reduce my losses if it's lost during travel.

        Are you trying to get the GST back and then getting an insurance payout for the full amount (inclusive of GST) too? lol

        • mun4 on 16/11/2024 - 17:39
          +1

          There wouldn't be a payout if the item is lost, since TRS isn't an insurance policy. I'd lose 10% less, however. If I were to take out a contents policy, then you're right. But that's how things have always been.

          • bobbified on 16/11/2024 - 17:46
            +1

            @mun4: 10% less is better than nothing, but it goes nowhere near the cost of replacing it. If losing it is your main concern, then it's probably worth looking into travel insurance instead.

    • HeWhoKnows on 17/11/2024 - 07:42

      More like a SCAM

  • MrThing on 16/11/2024 - 17:26
    +3

    you declare things when you return to aus?

    • mun4 on 16/11/2024 - 17:29
      +1

      Yes. I believe there's a $900 tax free threshold per person. My laptop will far exceed it though, and thus GST will be due each time it's brought back.

  • plmko on 16/11/2024 - 17:32
    +1

    Why not just not claim it until the very last trip. Seems pointless for the sake of it.

    • mun4 on 16/11/2024 - 17:34
      -1

      It could help reduce my losses if it's lost on the trip.

      • plmko on 16/11/2024 - 17:40
        +6

        So then buy travel insurance……

        • mun4 on 16/11/2024 - 17:45
          -4

          The value of the laptop exceeds the maximum value allowed on my policy ($4000) and the additional premium is around $200.

          • bobbified on 16/11/2024 - 17:50

            @mun4: Getting $4,000 back is better than just 10%.. unless your laptop is worth over $44,000! lol

            • mun4 on 16/11/2024 - 17:52
              -6

              @bobbified: The extra premium will be $250. I'm not so willing to bet $250 on such relatively unlikely event, but I'd take it if it was free.

              • plmko on 16/11/2024 - 19:07
                +9

                @mun4: I think you should take this trip as a self-reflecting trip.

                You clearly need it.

  • sumyungguy on 16/11/2024 - 17:41
    +4

    Not allowed, ABF won't pay TRS in duplicate unless you re-birth your notebook's serial number and present a bogus invoice

    • mun4 on 16/11/2024 - 17:56
      -3

      But is it a duplicate if the GST refunded has already been paid back?

      • sumyungguy on 16/11/2024 - 18:02
        +2

        A more unethical traveller would gamble on being waved through on return, like business travellers. The thing that makes it harder to claim again on a subsequent departure is the requirement for an original tax invoice; you can't use photocopied, reprinted or duplicate invoices

        • mun4 on 16/11/2024 - 18:19
          -1

          I've only been given a digital invoice though. I probably won't be getting waved through on return as I'll have it declared on the card.

          • sumyungguy on 16/11/2024 - 18:23

            @mun4: I gather you can make a claim with an electronic invoice. You're intending to declare on re-entry but it's at their discretion whether they collect the GST

  • 87percent on 16/11/2024 - 17:42
    +3

    Don’t take it with you if it’s so expensive

    • mun4 on 16/11/2024 - 18:02
      -4

      I'm not prepared to close up shop.

      • 87percent on 16/11/2024 - 18:05

        What?

        • sumyungguy on 16/11/2024 - 18:19
          +2

          Lots of people are running online businesses or creating content, not unusual to be relying on a capable high-spec notebook

  • life is suffering on 16/11/2024 - 18:00
    +2

    Wtf what’s the logic behind this ?

    • mun4 on 16/11/2024 - 18:27
      -2

      If permitted, it could be a free partial contents insurance policy.

  • SBOB on 16/11/2024 - 18:04
    +2

    You're only claiming the 'tourist' refund on the initial purchase, for the new item, purchased with a receipt less than 60 days from departure.

    Every subsequent departure since then you're just taking a used, second hand laptop with you.

    • mun4 on 16/11/2024 - 18:06
      -3

      AFAIK the item doesn't have to be new or sealed for it to be eligible. The purchase just has to be made within 60 days from departure.

      • SBOB on 16/11/2024 - 18:45
        +2

        Yes, but your used second hand laptop on the subsequent departures was not a
        spend at least AUD 300, (including Goods and Services Tax (GST), in total from a supplier with the same Australian Business Number (ABN)

        Either way, feel free to raise your question over here then.

        https://www.abf.gov.au/entering-and-leaving-australia/touris…

        Dropping over 4k on a laptop, I assume you're smart enough to work out whether your claim idea is valid

        • mun4 on 16/11/2024 - 18:54
          -1

          your used second hand laptop on the subsequent departures was not a
          spend at least AUD 300, (including Goods and Services Tax (GST), in total from a supplier with the same Australian Business Number (ABN)

          How so? The invoiced amount remains unchanged, although the value may have depreciated. TRS is about the invoice.

          • SBOB on 16/11/2024 - 18:58
            +4

            @mun4: No, you are 100 right.
            You should definitely claim it every trip.

            Make sure you give ozb a shout out on the tv show border security though.

            • mun4 on 16/11/2024 - 19:01
              -1

              @SBOB: You bet I will. If repaying the GST refunded is a crime, there are bigger issues with the border system.

  • AdosHouse on 16/11/2024 - 18:10
    +2

    So you want to know if you can get a TRS refund as some kind of government loan, so that if you "lose" it, then they have paid you 10% of the laptops value? Do you like "random" airport baggage searches? What you are describing sounds sus as hell.

    Pay a bit extra and put it on your travel insurance.

  • CyberMurning on 16/11/2024 - 18:28
    +11

    TRS Advice: Multiple Claims on Same Item

    Corect title:
    TRS Fraud: Multiple Claims on Same Item

  • EFC94 on 16/11/2024 - 18:29
    +10

    This is up there as one of the dumbest things I've read on Ozbargain in a while. Not only are you saving $0, you're also just wasting your time. If you're so concerned about losing your laptop, either don't take it with you or learn to be more careful of your belongings.

  • original15 on 16/11/2024 - 18:35
    +1

    TRS should be scrapped. I know it’s an OzB favourite but cmonnnn.
    The cost to maintain it, let alone the amount of GsT refunded for “gifts” is baloney, then there’s cases like this 😂

    • life is suffering on 16/11/2024 - 18:41

      Lmao

    • foxmulder on 17/11/2024 - 10:06

      That's happen in NZ. I just thought it's simple.

    • reactor-au on 17/11/2024 - 15:26
      +2

      Or it should just be limited to tourists

  • Daabido on 16/11/2024 - 19:48
    +3

    Short answer no, long answer also no, but appears to be the most cockamamie hair-brained scheme that would put you on the radar for a thorough "random" inspection every time you came back into Australia.

  • Look Up on 16/11/2024 - 19:54
    +2

    LOL

    It's taken until November but we finally have forum thread of the year

    What is it with the Gold Coast that attracts certain types and unethical behaviour?

  • Salternative on 16/11/2024 - 22:33
    +2

    Just create a burner ac and ask can i fraudulently claim gst multiple times on same item , mate this partial insurance policy hocus pocus is disrespectful to everyone, as in you think we will fall for this which is as likely as the nigerian prince offer , i.e oh everyone is dumb enough to fall for this.
    The answer, likely that TRS creates a database of GST refunds against the passport number , or at least i hope so.Wouldnt surprise me if you are planning on double dipping with an insurance claim as well .

    • mun4 on 16/11/2024 - 23:44
      -4

      oh everyone is dumb enough

      Some people are indeed dumb enough to lack basic literacy skills. The post clearly states that the item is DECLARED and GST is REPAID on each return trip. The question is whether the refund claim would be cancelled if GST is repaid on arrival. Somehow you lot deem it to be fraud while the ATO considers it reimportation.

      The TRS of course has a database of refunds against each traveller, which is why travellers with high value claims are likely flagged on arrival.

  • PissLUR on 16/11/2024 - 23:31

    Well. The question to ask is what kind of invoice do you get when you pay your GST in the airport.

    • mun4 on 16/11/2024 - 23:49
      -1

      I suppose a similar kind to those ATO issue for PAYG instalments etc., except it uses the ABF header?

      • PissLUR on 17/11/2024 - 00:42

        does it have the requirements for TRS? Yes or No?

        that's your answer.

        • mun4 on 17/11/2024 - 01:44
          -1

          From my understanding, TRS aren't interested in the invoice for the GST paid on the first return trip - they're only interested in the (original) invoice for the item. They can probably see on their system that the GST has be repaid, but my question is will they allow a second claim if the repaid GST correctly shows up?

  • movieman on 17/11/2024 - 04:57
    +1

    Even though it sounds strange, I say go for it.

    And let us know the outcome!

    • ihfree on 17/11/2024 - 07:18
      +1

      Don't forget to report back as well - could be useful for other users.

      • Daabido on 17/11/2024 - 11:37
        +1

        Could be useful for others to get 1/11 of their very expensive laptop covered in an elaborate and time consuming GST merry-go-round?

        Even if I knew my laptop would be stolen overseas in advance, I wouldn't bother with this.

      • SlickMick on 17/11/2024 - 21:59

        Yeah because it could be useful.

        Not because we want to laugh at the repercussions.

  • blahhhhh on 17/11/2024 - 07:51

    What happens if you don't have to repay in the middle, are you still going to try claim a second time?

    • mun4 on 17/11/2024 - 12:54

      No. If I don't have to repay in the middle, I'm fairly certain I won't be allowed to make a second claim as DHA would certainly have mechanisms in place to prevent such blatant abuse.

  • GaryQ on 17/11/2024 - 08:53

    Are you planning multiple overseas trips within the same 60 day window?

    • mun4 on 17/11/2024 - 13:09

      Yes. I have a conference in the US in a week's time and another conference in Germany in the first week of Jan.

  • lainey13 on 18/11/2024 - 14:42

    Still don't understand the 'why' part. What does travel insurance have to do with TRS?

    • foxmulder on 18/11/2024 - 20:05

      Hopefully I get this right: op will go in and out of the Australia - just say twice within 60 days. Op could have just claimed TRS refund at the second travel, but op worries that op will lost the laptop in the first trip, then unable to claim TRS on the second trip.

      Personally I think this TRS refund is a tourist thing. If you buy item to bring with you in your travel and bring it back, you should not be bother to do so as you're not really entitled for anything.

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