I wanted to know what expatriate actually means, so I looked it up. According to
www.dictionary.com:
"ex·pa·tri·ate Pronunciation Key (k-sptr-t)
v. ex·pa·tri·at·ed, ex·pa·tri·at·ing, ex·pa·tri·ates
v. tr.
To send into exile.
To remove (oneself) from residence in one's native land.
v. intr.
To give up residence in one's homeland.
To renounce allegiance to one's homeland.
n. (-t, -t)
One who has taken up residence in a foreign country.
One who has renounced one's native land.
adj. (-t, -t)
Residing in a foreign country; expatriated:"
So by my reckoning, if you are no longer a resident of Australia, a true expat. then you are not bound by Australian tax laws, only the laws of the country where your primary residence is located. However, if your primary residence is still in Australia then you are not an expat, and must abide by Aussie tax laws.
It sucks, but I think most countries are that way now. Gov'ts love to get their grubby mitts on any money they can, any way they can now.
Cheers
Randy_G
