Aussie Pension Question

Tezza71

I need to ask a question of those of you who are in Bali on an Aussie Pension. Where are you using as your home address and postal address? Sorry folks, this is something I really should have sorted out before leaving Perth but didn't and now I find I need to change my address on the Centrelink site. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

harryopal

I need to ask a question of those of you who are in Bali on an Aussie Pension. Where are you using as your home address and postal address? Sorry folks, this is something I really should have sorted out before leaving Perth but didn't and now I find I need to change my address on the Centrelink site. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

As you are probably aware you must notify Centrelink if you live overseas. I think they have some sort of link with immigration that provides passport advice so if you are away for 26 weeks without informing Centrelink your pension can be shut off and that means problems with sorting out your entitlement. So, I had informed Centrelink I was remaining in Indonesia and use a son's address and phone number in Adelaide as a point of contact. Your pension is reduced living overseas but you can check the detail with this link. https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/topics/payment-schedule-and-rates-people-outside-australia/29791

Tezza71

As you are probably aware you must notify Centrelink if you live overseas. I think they have some sort of link with immigration that provides passport advice so if you are away for 26 weeks without informing Centrelink your pension can be shut off and that means problems with sorting out your entitlement. So, I had informed Centrelink I was remaining in Indonesia and use a son's address and phone number in Adelaide as a point of contact. Your pension is reduced living overseas but you can check the detail with this link. https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/topics/payment-schedule-and-rates-people-outside-australia/29791

Hi Harryopal, I already told them i am living in Bali so that part is in hand. What I am having issues with is giving them contact details for me whilst I am in Bali. I've tried giving them my sons address as a point of contact for mail etc but then the site asks for a whole stack more info which leads me into uncharted waters. Problem is I can't find an email address to get in contact with Centrelink. I've been on the My Gov website and there doesn't seem to be any way on getting contact with them unless I'm overlooking something. How have contacted them if and when you have needed to?

harryopal

Tezza71 wrote Hi Harryopal, I already told them i am living in Bali so that part is in hand. What I am having issues with is giving them contact details for me whilst I am in Bali. I've tried giving them my sons address as a point of contact for mail etc but then the site asks for a whole stack more info which leads me into uncharted waters. Problem is I can't find an email address to get in contact with Centrelink. I've been on the My Gov website and there doesn't seem to be any way on getting contact with them unless I'm overlooking something. How have contacted them if and when you have needed to?

I have called by phone. Response time varies. If you have Skype you can call the 132 307 shown below for the cost of a local call. Or you could try the free call number from Indonesia. I haven't used that myself so not sure about wait time for pick up. My impression is that generally it is easier to get through than used to be the case. I hope that helps. It does seem that all the larger on line "services" seem to make it harder to get answers to specific questions instead of automated responses that never seem to have what you need. Perhaps let us know how you get on. Indonesia 001 803 61 035 Monday to Friday 8 am to 5 pm AEST [SIZE=6][B]Online Services Support Hotline[/B][/SIZE] Use this line if you need help with your Centrelink or Medicare online account, Express Plus mobile app or myGov account. 132 307 Monday to Friday 7 am to 10 pm Saturday and Sunday 10 am to 5 pm When calling select: [LIST] [*]option 1 for myGov [*]option 2 for linking codes for myGov and Centrelink [*]option 3 for Centrelink [*]option 4 for Medicare. [/LIST]

Tezza71

harryopal wrote I have called by phone. Response time varies. If you have Skype you can call the 132 307 shown below for the cost of a local call. Or you could try the free call number from Indonesia. I haven't used that myself so not sure about wait time for pick up. My impression is that generally it is easier to get through than used to be the case. I hope that helps. It does seem that all the larger on line "services" seem to make it harder to get answers to specific questions instead of automated responses that never seem to have what you need. Perhaps let us know how you get on. Indonesia 001 803 61 035 Monday to Friday 8 am to 5 pm AEST [SIZE=6][B]Online Services Support Hotline[/B][/SIZE] Use this line if you need help with your Centrelink or Medicare online account, Express Plus mobile app or myGov account. 132 307 Monday to Friday 7 am to 10 pm Saturday and Sunday 10 am to 5 pm When calling select: [LIST] [*]option 1 for myGov [*]option 2 for linking codes for myGov and Centrelink [*]option 3 for Centrelink [*]option 4 for Medicare. [/LIST]

Thankyou so very much for this info Harry. I thought I had the situation in hand but on trying to update my address in My Gov, Centrelink it all became to hard so I really need to try and talk to someone.

Mark

Fyi, for those potentially affected, I understand that the Indonesian tax authorities are stepping up their enforcement of the tax laws as they pertain to overseas pensions, ie, assessing tax. Focus (logically, I suppose) seems to be on those with retirement Kitas or Kitap.

Tezza71

Mark wrote The tax is based on worldwide income, which includes money going into an Australian bank account. Everyone on Kitas or Kitap is obliged to have an NPWP (Indonesian tax number) and file a return each year. Worldwide income and assets should be declared. Financial information sharing is more common these days, so 'forgetting' to list an overseas pension might not be a great option in the long run.

Hi Mark, from where do I get an NPWP? I am very much a new boy here so I need leading by the nose to get things sorted out.

Mark

Tezza71 wrote Hi Mark, from where do I get an NPWP? I am very much a new boy here so I need leading by the nose to get things sorted out.

You go to the local tax service office in your regency of residence. It's called Kantor Pelayanan Pajak (KPP). Show them your passport, Kitas and SKTT (they need the NIK number on your SKTT). You fill out a form and will receive a plastic NPWP card in a few minutes.

Tezza71

Mark wrote You go to the local tax service office in your regency of residence. It's called Kantor Pelayanan Pajak (KPP). Show them your passport, Kitas and SKTT (they need the NIK number on your SKTT). You fill out a form and will receive a plastic NPWP card in a few minutes.

Thankyou for that mate

matsaleh

....Financial information sharing is more common these days, so 'forgetting' to list an overseas pension might not be a great option in the long run.

Australia and Indonesia signed a new MoU on 01 August, 2020 re the Australia-Indonesia income tax treaty. This will mean there is a lot more info sharing between the two countries. AU treasury - tax treaties

harryopal

Mark wrote Fyi, for those potentially affected, I understand that the Indonesian tax authorities are stepping up their enforcement of the tax laws as they pertain to overseas pensions, ie, assessing tax. Focus (logically, I suppose) seems to be on those with retirement Kitas or Kitap.

The irony here is that my pension is below the tax threshold in Australia but if I were to have to pay tax on my modest income it would then become questionable as to survival even living in a rather modest fashion. At least at the moment Indonesia is a beneficiary as my income is spent here. If I had to leave because of an added Indonesian tax there would be no benefit at all to the Indonesian economy but rather a loss.

Tezza71

harryopal wrote The irony here is that my pension is below the tax threshold in Australia but if I were to have to pay tax on my modest income it would then become questionable as to survival even living in a rather modest fashion. At least at the moment Indonesia is a beneficiary as my income is spent here. If I had to leave because of an added Indonesian tax there would be no benefit at all to the Indonesian economy but rather a loss.

I guess the tax to be paid will probably be decided based on the pension going into an Indonesian bank account. At the moment i have mine put into an account in Australia and the transfer over as I need it. How does the Indonesian tax system work. Is it necessary to do a return each year as we have to in Australia.

Mark

Tezza71 wrote I guess the tax to be paid will probably be decided based on the pension going into an Indonesian bank account. At the moment i have mine put into an account in Australia and the transfer over as I need it. How does the Indonesian tax system work. Is it necessary to do a return each year as we have to in Australia.

The tax is based on worldwide income, which includes money going into an Australian bank account. Everyone on Kitas or Kitap is obliged to have an NPWP (Indonesian tax number) and file a return each year. Worldwide income and assets should be declared. Financial information sharing is more common these days, so 'forgetting' to list an overseas pension might not be a great option in the long run.