(Note: This post was originally published on Taxes for Expats, a partner of Sydney Moving Guide.) Special Referral Code Just For SMG Readers For $75 Credit Off Tax Services With Taxes For Expats. Code given the at end of this post. Due to recent changes, the FinCEN Form 114 (FBAR) due date was moved […]
Australian Banking for Expats, Transferring Money, Cost of Living in Sydney and Paying Taxes
Expat finances is probably the most popular blogging category on Sydney Moving Guide mainly because it covers so many different topics from opening a bank account before you move and transferring money to Australia to paying taxes as an expat living abroad.
Let's not forget about estimating the cost of living in Sydney and money your need saved not just for your move to Australia but the savings you will need when you arrive.
What do you have questions about?
Car Finance for Expats in Australia
The team at Alpha Finance provided Sydney Moving Guide the content for this post. With the expensive cost of living in Australia today, it’s hard enough to purchase a car for your everyday Joe. Add in being an expat starting with a fresh credit score, and it opens a whole new set of complications to […]
Understanding Effects of Superannuation on Your US Taxes in Australia
(Note: This post was originally published on Taxes for Expats. Taxes for Expat is a partner of Sydney Moving Guide.) Special Referral Just For SMG Readers For $75 Credit Off Tax Services With Taxes For Expats. Details provided at the end of this post. As an American living in the Land Down Under, you […]
Free Money Transfers for SMG Readers
Are you transferring money to Australia? Fantastic Promotion Offer from OFX just for SMG readers Get Free Money Transfers for LIFE! No promo code needed, just click on your current location below. Don’t see your location? Click here if you are located in Europe. Click here if you are located […]
Sorting Out the Cost Of Living in Sydney Before You Move
To Help You Estimate Your Cost of Living in Sydney, Here is a Breakdown of Daily Expenses. This is Part Two of my cost of living in Sydney series. Part One was all about rents in Sydney. You can check it out here. This article discusses daily and monthly expenses like groceries, utilities, public transportation, […]
Breakdown of Rents in Sydney by Neighborhood
Is Sydney really that expensive? Just how expensive is expensive? I get asked this question a lot from people all over the world. The high cost of living in Sydney is usually a deal breaker for expats wanting to make the move to Australia. (For more info about daily living expenses in Sydney click here.) […]
Your Australian Tax Questions Answered
I would like to thank H&R Block Australia for providing the information below. It was a huge help as I was in a bit of a tight spot. A while ago I was contacted by a tax accountant in Sydney offering to do a FAQ for new Australian taxpayers. I jumped on it and sent […]
Top Transportation Options for Expats Moving to Sydney
The team at Stratton provided Sydney Moving Guide the content for this post. Moving to Sydney can make for a huge life adjustment if you’ve moved from a far-flung international destination to Australian shores. It’s one thing to arrive in Australia as an expat, however, it’s a whole different ball game to adapt to the […]
How Much Money Do You Needed Saved to Move to Sydney
Not only do you need to budget for the cost of shipping your household to Australia but you also need to think about how much money you need saved for the first few months after you arrive especially if you do not have a job waiting for you in Sydney. You’ll need to budget for […]
Detailed Account of the Cost of Living in Sydney for a Family of Four
The cost of living in Sydney is a shocker to almost everyone moving to Australia, even from city thought to be more expensive such as London. I get several emails a week asking me if it really is that high and how the heck do we get by. The truth is, it took us awhile […]
U.S. Income Tax Return Preparation: Advice and Planning for American Expatriates Living in Australia and New Zealand
Note from Lauren: This article was originally published by Tax for Expats. I asked for permission to republish this article because it directly applies to every US expat living in Australia. Special Referral Code Just For SMG Readers For $75 Credit Off Tax Services With Taxes For Expats. Code given the at end of this […]
How to Deduct Moving Expenses to Reduce Your US Expat Tax Liability
(Note: This post was originally published on Taxes for Expats, a partner of Sydney Moving Guide.) Special Referral Code Just For SMG Readers For $75 Credit Off Tax Services With Taxes For Expats. Code given the at end of this post. Moving back to the United States or moving from the United States to […]
Exposing Seven Myths about the Rules of US Expat Taxes
(Note: This post was originally published on Taxes for Expats, a partner of Sydney Moving Guide.) Special Referral Code Just For SMG Readers For $75 Credit Off Tax Services With Taxes For Expats. Code given the at end of this post. If you are a US expat, there are a few myths surrounding US […]
3 Important Things to Consider Before Moving to Australia from the UK
This is a sponsored guest post. If you are interested in contributing to SMG please read through my terms and conditions. If you’re planning on moving from the UK to Australia then, first of all, let me say CONGRATULATIONS! It’s a decision you won’t regret, and it will change your world more than you might […]
Furnishing Your First Apartment in Sydney on a Budget
Doesn’t matter if you decide to ship your household to Australia or arrive with just a suitcase, after finding your first apartment in Sydney you will need to, at the very least, buy the basics to set up house. But how do you do this on a budget? Today’s Email We are now in Sydney […]
Expat’s Guide to Currency Exchange and Transferring Money Overseas
What every expat needs to know when transferring money internationally. This turned out to be longer than I expected. To help you navigate through the information below, I broke it up into the sections listed below. Just click on the section heading to jump ahead. Why you should use a forex broker instead of a […]
Tips for Finding Accommodations in Sydney with Minimum Savings
Are you moving to Sydney on a shoestring budget? If so, then today’s Mailbox Monday post is for you. It’s all about finding cheap accommodations in Sydney on a limited budget. Today’s Email I am Pauline from France but currently living in Rockhampton to study. I will be moving to Sydney for maybe a year […]
How to Get Your Australian Tax File Number
Getting a Tax File Number is Something That Everyone Moving to Australia Needs To Do It will also be one of the easiest parts of your move. In this post, I will cover all the basics you need to know plus include a little-known fact about getting a Tax File Number (TFN) in Australia, i.e. […]
Infographic: The Cost of Living in Sydney – Daily Expenses
How much does it cost to living in Sydney? This infographic is a follow up to the post on the Cost of Living in Sydney – Daily Expenses. I made the infographic for those following me on Pinterest and for sharing across the interwebs. Are you on Pinterest? Click here to save this infographic to […]
Your Guide to Tax in Australia
This is a sponsored guest post, even so I think it is very relative to moving to Australia as it about something we all need to know about, Australian Taxes. If you are interested in contributing to SMG please read through my terms and conditions. So you’re moving to Australia, or perhaps you’re fresh off […]
Can I Transfer My UK Pension to My Australian Superannuation?
This week’s Mailbox Monday post is about transferring pensions from the UK to Australia. This comes from a reader who is packing up her family and making the move to Australia, permanently. This is actually the second Mailbox Monday question from Cathy. You can read her first question about waiting for GCSE results before moving […]
Do 457 Visa Holders Owe Tax When They Transfer Money to Australia?
This week’s Mailbox Monday post is a question that I’m sure a lot of 457 visa holders have asked, especially since we often transfer large sums of money to Australia from overseas. Today’s Question: I have a 457 visa, sponsored by my employer. I’m planning on moving to Sydney this coming summer. I’ve been trying […]
Are You Ready for the New FATCA Regulations by Which Your Foreign Bank is Releasing Your Data to the IRS?
This is a sponsored guest post. If you are interested in contributing to SMG please read through my terms and conditions. Special Referral Code Just For SMG Readers For $75 Credit Off Tax Services With Taxes For Expats. Code given the at end of this post. New FATCA GuideLines New FATCA guidelines requiring foreign […]
Bank Accounts Specific for Expats Moving to Australia
I think it’s best if I’m straight with you from the very beginning of this article. Yes, Westpac Bank is one of Sydney Moving Guide’s main sponsors as you have probably already guessed since there is a Westpac Bank Ad in the sidebar. No, Westpac Bank is not the only bank that has migrant bank […]
A Common Banking Mistake Expats Make
International Banks in Australia There is one mistake that expats make when it comes to banking internationally. “International” banks are not really international in terms of serving you. What do I mean? Citibank in the USA is not the same as Citibank in Australia. Yes, it’s the same bank but if you have an account […]
Why You Should Open Your Bank Account Before You Move
The First Two Weeks in Sydney are Hectic Opening a bank account was one of the many tasks we had to get done our first two weeks in Sydney. I refer to those two weeks now as the “Two Week Scramble” as, many expats on a sponsored visa, have only two weeks booked in a […]
How to Open Your Australian Bank Account Before You Leave Home
It will take you no more than 10 minutes to open two bank accounts, one savings and one they call an everyday account, aka checking. You can open your account 12 months before you arrive in Australia. Not sure if anyone does but it’s nice to know that you can. Steps to Opening an Australian […]
Don’t File Your US Expatriate Taxes Until You See This!
Special Referral Code Just For SMG Readers For $75 Credit Off Tax Services With Taxes For Expats. Code given the at end of this post. Ah, it’s tax season again! Like most US expats, you’re gathering your documents (or at least thinking about doing that!) and preparing to file your 2013 expatriate taxes. But […]
Understanding US Expatriate Taxes
Explanation of Foreign Earned Income Exclusion The Foreign Earned Income Exclusion, otherwise referred to and documented as FEIE, is an exclusion offered by the IRS to US citizens living abroad. Before we examine the details of the FEIE, we will take a brief look at the qualification standard set by the IRS. In order for […]
Increased FATCA Measures and How They Affect US Expats
Special Referral Code Just For SMG Readers For $75 Credit Off Tax Services With Taxes For Expats. Code given the at end of this post. The Internal Revenue Service continues to set unforeseen precedents through FATCA (Foreign Accounts Tax Compliance Act) regulations as more aggressive measures are being designed to track down international US […]
Common UK Expatriate Tax Issues
UK income tax can be a labyrinth, especially in the expatriate arena. However, there are plenty of common issues which apply to UK nationals working and living outside the UK. This article will focus on UK expatriate tax issues in a Q & A format. Q: Dan is British and lives in Cairns, and is […]
The Most Important American Expat Tax Info for US Citizens Living in Australia
Special Referral Code Just For SMG Readers For $75 Credit Off Tax Services With Taxes For Expats. Code given the at end of this post. Filing Taxes as an American living in Australia. The video below gives a brief summary of what you need to know. It’s worth watching. Australia is an amazing country […]
5 Mistakes To Avoid When Transferring Money Overseas
This is a sponsored guest post. If you are interested in contributing to SMG please read through my terms and conditions. One of the biggest issues you will have as an expat is getting your money sorted. The last thing you want is to erode your wealth and return home poor. So to ensure you […]
Filing US Taxes While Living Abroad
Special Referral Code Just For SMG Readers For $75 Credit Off Tax Services With Taxes For Expats. Code given the at end of this post. Living abroad has many risks, rewards, and challenges for those Americans who chose to take the plunge, pack up, and embrace a new nation as their home. However, among […]
How to Transfer Your Money to Sydney (and How NOT to Transfer Your Money)
This is a guest post. If you are interested in contributing to SMG please read through my terms and conditions. Transferring money internationally is a common problem for expats as many still have bills back home that they need to stay on top of. When we moved to Sydney in 2008 we had no idea […]
What is an Australian Superannuation?
Australia’s Superannuation is awesome! So why do I say that? Well for one, employer contributions are compulsory. Not only are contributions compulsory but the percentage of each contribution is 9.5% of your ordinary earnings, up to the ‘maximum contribution base’. That’s just crazy! I remember feeling so lucky to have up to 3% matching back […]
US Taxes For Expats Living in Sydney
Special Referral Just For SMG Readers For $75 Credit Off Tax Services With Taxes For Expats. Details provided at the end of this post. Many US expats are often confused about filing taxes when living abroad especially in Australia since there is a double taxation treaty between the US and Australia. This treaty basically […]
Australian Tax Return For Expats
Taxes for Temporary Residents First things first, the Australian Tax Year is July 1st-June 30th. Filling your Australian tax return as a temporary resident is not complicated unless you are a business owner or own property. Once you have all your paperwork together it should take you less than an hour to complete online. There […]