Australia Expat Tax Tip 2 – Common Mistakes Australian Expats Make
When you’re an Australian expat, even small missteps can cause big tax headaches with the ATO. Here are the most common mistakes to avoid: 1️⃣ Assuming You’re Automatically a Non-Resident Many Aussies think leaving the country is enough to lose tax residency.🚩 Wrong: The Resides Test, Domicile Test, and 183-Day Test still apply.If you maintain […]
Canada Expat Tax Tip 2 – Common Mistakes Canadian Expats Make
Moving abroad doesn’t free you from the CRA’s radar. Many Canadians run into tax problems because of these avoidable mistakes: 1️⃣ Assuming You’ve Cut Ties AutomaticallyLeaving Canada doesn’t automatically make you a non-resident.🚩 The CRA looks at ties like: Home in Canada Spouse/children who remain Bank accounts or provincial health coverage👉 Details: Leaving Canada (emigrants) […]
Australia Expat Tax Tip 1 – Understanding Australian Tax Residency
Understanding tax residency is the first and most crucial step if you live abroad as an Australian. Your residency status with the ATO decides which income gets taxed, where, and on what basis. What Is Tax Residency in Australia? It’s legally determined by whether you “reside” in Australia — not just your visa […]
Canada Expat Tax Tip 1 – Understanding Canadian Tax Residency
If you’re a Canadian living abroad (or planning to), figuring out your residency status with the CRA is essential. It determines what income you must report, and whether you’re taxed on global earnings or just Canadian-source. What Is Tax Residency in Canada? CRA looks at residency status using several categories: factual resident, deemed […]
Expat Tip 19: Inheritance, Estate & Gift Taxes – Cross-Border Rules for Expats
Estate planning doesn’t pause when you become an expat — and gifts you make before or after moving abroad can trigger tax liabilities on both sides of the border. 💡 How Inheritance, Estate & Gift Taxes Work Inheritance / Estate Taxes: Levied on the estate of the deceased before assets are distributed to heirs. […]
Expat Tip 18: Departure Tax & Capital Gains When You Leave
When you permanently leave a country, many tax systems treat it as though you sold all your capital assets — even if you haven’t. This is called departure tax or deemed disposition. It’s one of the costliest surprises for expats. 📈 How Departure Tax (Deemed Disposition) Works Essentially, the tax authority says: “We assume […]
Expat Tip 5: Common Tax Traps Every Expat Must Avoid
Living abroad can be exciting — but expat tax rules are full of hidden pitfalls that can cost you big if overlooked. From bank accounts to residency days, the little details matter. Here are five quick reminders every Aussie or Canadian expat should keep top of mind: 1. It’s Not Just About Interest Even […]
Expat Tip 17: Stock Options & RSUs – Tax Rules for Expats
Equity compensation — such as stock options and RSUs (Restricted Stock Units) — are a powerful way to build wealth. But for expats, they often become complex tax traps when crossing borders. 🚩 Key Tax Events to Watch Grant date: Usually no tax event unless options are exercised immediately. Vesting / Cliff: Some countries […]
Expat Tip 16: Dividends & Foreign Investments – What Expats Need to Know
📈 How Dividends, Interest & Investment Income Are Taxed Dividend income: May be taxed at withholding rates or ordinary income rates depending on the jurisdiction. Interest / Bond yields: Usually taxed as ordinary income in many countries. Capital Gains: Gains from selling stocks, ETFs, or real estate may trigger tax events. Reinvested dividends: Some jurisdictions […]
Expat Tip 15: How Housing & Travel Allowances Are Taxed Abroad
Expat Housing & Travel Allowance Tax Rules One perk of expat life is a housing allowance or travel support, but don’t assume these are tax-free. Australia (ATO): Most allowances (housing, relocation, cost of living) are considered taxable fringe benefits unless they fall under specific exemptions. Employers may pay Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) instead of […]
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