Job Discussion Forums

[aspiringesl]

Hey guys,

This doesn't exactly have to do with ESL but I imagine many of you have extensive knowledge on the fact. I was an exchange student in Australia for a year and worked casually as well, earning about 4000 dollars. I thought that this would be under the tax exemption policy because it is not that much money but then I recently got in the mail, one year later, that non residents don't have this policy and I owe the Australian government over 800 dollars. Now as ESL teachers, does anyone know what would happen if I decide to just not pay this money? What would happen if I ever decide to visit the country again? Is there a time limit in which my file would be erased?

Thanks so much

[naturegirl321]

I would never try to outrun tax money owed. Pay it now. They've already found you, so you can't hide from them. The more you put it off the higher the fees and interest. My grandfather owed $500, by the time he widow paid, it was $5000

I know for the US, there's a statue of limitations, which is something like 7 years, BUT, if you knowingly deceive the govt, then there's no statue of limiations, it goes for life.

[Denizen]

I concur with naturalgirl. Resistance is futile. Pay now, grumble for a while, and move on to greener pastures.

[naturegirl321]

Added benefit: if you DO owe, Self employment, porperty, etc, then you get into Soc Sec, meaning that you get money when you're older, yea, how exciting.