Thanks for bringing the cap back, here's your bill.

[Blondie]

All I can say is, thanks John Howard. You truly are a dogstarver.

Tuesday September 9, 07:31 AM

Don's cap to cost $42,500 in GST

Click to enlarge photo
The baggy green cap Don Bradman wore in his final Test cricket series has arrived home to Australia, but was confiscated by customs officials who demanded $42,500 in GST.

As a former customs officer, the new owner of the cap, Tim Serisier, half-expected the polite but firm request for the cap and a demand that he pay GST at Melbourne Airport on Monday, The Australian newspaper reported.


"It's disappointing because it will discourage Australian investors from bringing heritage items into this country," the 43-year-old retired merchant banker told the newspaper.

Before Mr Serisier flew to London last week to collect his prized item, he had asked both the Australian Customs Service and the Australian Taxation Office whether the cap, for which he had paid $425,000 in July, would be liable to a 10 per cent GST payment.

According to Mr Serisier, the ATO's response was "probably yes" while Customs told him "a cap is a cap is a cap", which he took to mean the baggy green would be regarded as a piece of clothing and be exempt from the tax, the newspaper reported.

But a customs spokeswoman said Mr Serisier had been advised that as the cap was a collectible item, it would be subject to GST.

A spokesman for Prime Minister John Howard, an avid cricket fan, told The Australian the cap was subject to GST and that no consideration would be given to exempting a piece of Australian sporting history.

 

[harry_hawka]

I thought this thread was about England winning the Rugby World Cup. Seems I'm mistaken.

 

[Jars458]

If he can afford to buy the bloody thing for that much money then he can afford to pay GST

Its fair enough.

 

[jerry springer]

Originally posted by Jars458
If he can afford to buy the bloody thing for that much money then he can afford to pay GST

Its fair enough.

i would normally agree with this statement but because he is putting it on a Australian wide showcase and then donating it to the MCG trust i think they could of let him bring it in free

 

[McAlmanac]

Originally posted by jerry springer
i would normally agree with this statement but because he is putting it on a Australian wide showcase and then donating it to the MCG trust i think they could of let him bring it in free

Where is the enshrinement in law which dictates what will be taxable and what won't be?

 

[jerry springer]

Originally posted by McAlmanac
Where is the enshrinement in law which dictates what will be taxable and what won't be?

dunno,im not a tax expert.

but in my humble opinion things that are a part of Australian history could and should be made tax exempt to bring back into the country.im sure little johnny could wave his magic wand and let it in for free being the cricket lover he is

 

[lioness]

I reckon if it was bought to be donated for use to display it to the general public, then surely the GST could be lowered to 5% or something???

Just a suggestion.......

 

[mantis]

The GST should be waived, only if the guy signs over all rights to the cap, no putting it on display for 6 months, then taking it back, if he isn't willing to do that, then charge the guy GST, otherwise he is using this as a way of avoiding paying it.

 

[Mobbs]

Blondie can you please quote the actual source of the article ... and if its off the net, a link to that article?

Cheers.

 

[ozzult]

Why didn't he just buy one from the duty free shop?

 

[Mr Q]

Originally posted by jerry springer
i would normally agree with this statement but because he is putting it on a Australian wide showcase and then donating it to the MCG trust i think they could of let him bring it in free

Don't really agree with this. There are probably lots of things that are brought into the country that are more deserving of tax-free status than sporting memorabilia however historic. Plus it sets a precedent.

 

[Unwritten_Law]

On the bright side at least he wasn't dealing with the Indian authorities...