All I wanted to do when I went abroad was to fund my own self-funded retirement for return and not ever bother the government.
They continuously change the goalposts on everything stymying investment. Now there's a million Aussies abroad so I don't know why the government doesn't want to encourage their investment back into the country?
There's always ways around things.
I bought a inner suburb house for retirement in a capital city a few years ago. Borrowed 100% so it is negatively geared. Offset I have the house value in cash and it earns 2.5%. There's 10% withholding tax on that- though I offset this a little by superannuation contributions deducted from the gearing losses.
If I retire I pay the house off entirely and have taxation credits- though they have already been offsetting an Australian commercial and residential property portfolio.
If you're an expat run the figures with a professional. Also, pay for taxation advice with an expert.
Last edited by Gnadenburg; 20th Feb 2018 at 03:06.