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Hi all,Quick question... is there anyone from Australia that plans on attending the Road Rally?Cheers,Andrew

Well, since you are not inundated with responses, I'll reply to you. I'm attending the Rally from England. Although she will not be attending with me, I do have a sister who lives in Perth...

{Warning! Warning! Aussie Acronyms Approaching (AAA)! Aaooogaah! Aaoooogah!}Mullen, I vaguely think of it, but no. The killer is the trans-pacific air fare of course. However, for future reference and in case you haven't gone that far yet: If the ATO classifies you as a professional musician (or other form of artist--or a farmer) and you have an ABN specifically for your music operations, then the costs are all tax deductible. ...provided you don't use the trip for other things too such as visiting Disneyland--even then you can claim pro rata. And of course you can also claim your day-to-day costs such as $5 submission fees, capital depreciation on equipment and so on. BUT--these claims end up QUARANTINED, ie you get no tax benefit UNTIL your music income for a year rises over $20,000 (I wish...) or your day job income in a year drops below $40,000 (I hope not). BTW check with an accountant, the figures were right two weeks ago . Then you can claim the lot. If the ATO does NOT class you as a professional musician/artist but only a hobbyist (normally, by definition, earning up to $15-20,000), you're whistling in the wind with claims. Interestingly, membership of APRA/AMCOS seems to automatically class you as a professional running a business, even if your current income from the music is at the cappucino a day level like mine right at this moment. I find it really really amusing that on my current earnings I'm classed as a professional musician by the ATO. Hey, it'll be $millions laundered in the Maldives next...not...Anyway, the tax breaks are no help in getting across the Pacific to the Rally unless you can already easily afford to and don't need help. Now Hawaii...hmmmm?There's lava flows, there's piranha infested streams, there's shark pools, there's the ATO...

Tadpole! Thank you for the excellent information. The airfare is the concern, but if I try and scrape some frequent flyer points together it might make it easier!Thanks for the wonderful insight to the ATO. I am content as an ameteur, and will work towards the professional status!Georgina, hopefully I will be able to meet you at the Rally! Bring on the internationals!

Sept 17, 2008, 8:16pm, mullen wrote: I am content as an ameteur, and will work towards the professional status!Be aware that you might find yourself in the position of not having a choice...it's really great when you're offered a deal but as part of that deal the library says "AND you are GONNA to join a PRO right NOW, for your OWN GOOD!!!" okay okay, I can take a hint, off we go, join APRA, just as well I've got music on iTunes. Joining APRA by definition under Australian tax law means we're professional and running a business. Never mind the no income, we're in business. Not hobbyist, not amateur, genuinely professional, just no income Interesting. PS Non-Australians, ignore. It's different. Truly. Welcome to Music 2.0

I can't help you with the ATO, APRA, ABN, or even the KOALA , but I will say that I've met Aussie members at almost every Road Rally. Remember only a small percentage of the membership frequents this forum...

Sept 18, 2008, 10:42am, matto wrote:I can't help you with the ATO, APRA, ABN, or even the KOALA , but I will say that I've met Aussie members at almost every Road Rally. Remember only a small percentage of the membership frequents this forum...Don't the Aussies generally drink everyone under the table, except for Texans?

Hey Mullen, yes we will be sure to meet. Forum members get to wear a dot on their name tags, as you might already know, so we can find each other.So is it true ? I've been to Australia and was quite impressed that what I thought of as "tea-time" was "beer-time"... Georgie

Hi Mullen!I'll be going and i'm an Aussie hmmmm well iv'e lived most of this year in Brazil but i am definately an Aussie ...melbourne boy see you there