Ozzie players and taxes - pointers plz!

[Dale Dough]

Anybody out there? I am originally from a not very poker-friendly country, but am an Australian citizen by descent. I got the passport and all, and now I'm looking to settle my taxes. I have lived off of poker for the last few years, but could conceivably claim a startup business I'm involved in as my primary job.

Yes I will Google/forum search/contact accountant etc. myself, but I'd still be very grateful for pointers in the right direction, post or PM.

Thanks.

[Josem]

I'm fairly sure that http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/showthreaded.php?Cat=0&Number=8939681 is accurate, although I'm no lawyer/accountant/etc.

There is very little case law on this matter as it relates to poker players. Most of the documented cases that I have found in Australia relate to the ATO trying to prove that people are NOT operating a business while gaming.

[Dale Dough]

Thanks.

[ChrisV]

There's an ATO advisory here (http://law.ato.gov.au/atolaw/print.htm?DocID=ITR%2FIT2655%2FNAT%2FATO%2F00001). The bottom line is that no case has ever held that a gambler is running a business. There haven't really been any test cases with poker players, but until there are, do what every other poker player in Australia does and don't pay a dime.