[glend (Glen)]

It seems the Federal Government might be about to slap GST on overseas internet purchases under $1000. This is coming about thanks to the government being pushed into it by Netflix. Netflix does not have to charge GST because it is supplying from overseas, whereas any Australian business supplying the same service must charge GST - thereby creating an unfair advantage. As Netflix is so pervasive, and the market potential so large, the government looks to be using this as the justification for going ahead in the Budget next Tuesday.

Retailers will be happy, while shoppers will just have to cop it. Will this stop overseas internet shopping? How will this be implemented on overseas charging through Paypal, etc. Overseas retailers might have to direct the payment through Payal Australia to collect the GST. And BTW, does Paypal Australia pay tax here?

So I'll be doing some overseas shopping today for some small astro items I was thinking of getting - which are either unavailable here or twice the price.

What do you think of this development?