Australian resident & US taxes

[Travel4Food$]

Hi everyone

First post here, please be nice to my silly questions :)

I'm an Australian citizen, have been working in the US for about 9 months now (started working here in Jan 16), under a work visa sponsored by company. Due to personal circumstances I'm coming back home to AU at the end of the year. I have ESPP stock that I'd like to sell later but I'd rather pay AU taxes on them than US taxes. I've read somewhere that I have to wait until after 183 days otherwise I'd have to pay US taxes in 2017. Would someone happen to know if this is true? I've also been told that doesnt matter when I sell them, could be 2 years after, when i do sell them I would still have to file taxes in the the US for that year. Not sure which is true and it's hard to find a CPA with knowledge of both US and AU taxes so seeking help from people who might have been in the same boat before. Appreciate any help I could get.

[Grogounet]

Heya,
Many things to consider:
- Your residency. You might still be an Australian resident for tax purposes (from what I read, good chances are that you are), so you have to take this into account.
I'm not sure about the rule for the US, but pretty certain that, even if you don't pay anything in the US, you would pay something here.
- Most tax treaties mean that you would have some tax withdrawn from the US. Again, double check.

Question: Why would you sell? Why don't you transfer to Interactive Brokers and take back the funds only when/if you need them?

[Travel4Food$]

Heya,
Many things to consider:
- Your residency. You might still be an Australian resident for tax purposes (from what I read, good chances are that you are), so you have to take this into account.
I'm not sure about the rule for the US, but pretty certain that, even if you don't pay anything in the US, you would pay something here.
- Most tax treaties mean that you would have some tax withdrawn from the US. Again, double check.

Question: Why would you sell? Why don't you transfer to Interactive Brokers and take back the funds only when/if you need them?

i've decided to stay here a bit longer, maybe another 10 months so will ask an accountant. I'm thinking about selling them to pay off the mortgage and use the rest to invest in Vanguard, like most of everyone seems to be doing here. I'm not comfortable with my money being across the ocean from me ;)

Why would you recommend keeping them instead?

[Grogounet]

If you're not comfortable, then transfer back.
Better be feeling good about your decisions and not by ones said by others.