Expats and social media

Thanks to social media, expat life has never been better so lets take a look at expats and social media.

For Australians, homesickness can be a particularly acute problem, especially when they first move overseas. After all, Australia is a remote island and our casual yet direct culture is unlike any other.

But with easy access to social media sites and apps, homesickness for Australian expats is less of a problem nowadays. On a variety of platforms you can create a chat group with friends or family back home and in an instant, you can share photos and exchange private jokes that only other people in the group will understand.

Connecting

It’s also useful to share things on Facebook (or other sites) in a public way. You’ll feel more connected and grounded if you post and keep up with births, deaths, marriages, holidays and so on.

It’s useful to also have an idea about what’s going on in Australian politics or at least be aware of who the latest prime minister is this month (yep, we’ve been through quite a few lately). And dare we say it, it’s also quite important and useful to keep up with the latest tax rules and tax changes from back home as some may affect you unexpectedly.

Join an expat group

You can also seek out expat groups whose members may (or may not) provide useful tips and advice on such matters as visa requirements, local resources, local sights and where to find the things that you need.

As a general rule of thumb, be sceptical about all advice posted on social media. If the advice is about Australian tax residency, Australian taxes for expats or for any other taxation matter, be doubly careful. Reach out to experienced professionals like our Expat Tax Services team before you make any financial decisions that you might regret later.

Respect the local laws

Another wise move is to think twice about what you post online. For example, if you are selling private assets or renting out your house or flat get information about the legality and tax implications of these actions both in Australia and in your new country. In some jurisdictions, renting or subletting a flat for a short period of time is illegal. So too is the advertising of a short-term property rental. Just because everyone else is doing it on Facebook, AirBnb or elsewhere doesn’t mean that you should automatically follow suit.

Where to go for advice you can trust

If you have any questions about your Australian tax obligations do not rely on social media alone. Instead, please go straight to our book an appointment page and receive advice specific to your circumstances. Our team will assist you with all Australian expat tax return issues so that you’ll know exactly where you stand.

And then you can get on with enjoying your life abroad!