what happens at pine gap

Yet, the story managed to leave a mark as viewers demand to watch what happens next. Pine Gap. Q2. In addition, if you provide a fringe benefit to the employee you may be liable for Australian fringe benefits tax (FBT) on its taxable value.Added: 05-22-2019 Source: ATO/IRS, Page Last Reviewed or Updated: 20-Apr-2021, Request for Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) and Certification, Employers engaged in a trade or business who pay compensation, Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS). If your JDFPG employment income is taxed in Australia, that income is considered foreign-source income for U.S. tax purposes and may be eligible for a foreign tax credit on your U.S. tax return, subject to any applicable limitations, including the restrictions on claiming foreign tax credits if you choose to exclude foreign earned income from your U.S. income. Picture: Nautilus InstituteSource:Supplied. From the base, known as the Joint Defense Facility Pine Gap, the United States controls satellites that gather information used to pinpoint airstrikes around the world and target nuclear weapons, among other military and intelligence tasks, according to experts and leaked National Security Agency documents. The site conjures up images of secrecy and power and has attracted the odd conspiracy theory or two. What if I do not know whether my JDFPG employee has entered into a closing agreement with the IRS in which the employee agrees not to claim the foreign earned income exclusion for JDFPG employment income? Hundreds of Australian and American employees come and go every day from Joint Defence Facility Pine Gap, as the base is formally known. The role of Pine Gap in the “War on Terror” was exposed by US whistle-blower Edward Snowden, who hacked into National Security Agency (NSA) files and went into exile to avoid the threat of a long jail sentence. Taxpayers receiving erroneous refunds may also be subject to penalties and interest.Added: 05-22-2019 Source: IRS, A8. 7. Pursuant to the Pine Gap Agreement, Australia exempts your JDFPG employment income from Australia tax if you are in Australia solely to work at JDFPG and that income is not exempt, and is brought to tax, in the United States. Except Uluru is open to tourism and Pine Gap only to a select 1000 or so workers. Secrecy held until the mid-1970s, when the World War II signals intelligence operation known as Enigma was finally revealed, and the role of the US Central Intelligence Agency in running Pine Gap became public during the final days of … According to Prof Tanter, a researcher with the Nautilus Institute for Security and Sustainability, the floor space of the site’s computer room, or operations building, has grown massively since the 1970s and now takes up a room the size of the entire playing field of the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Strange Activity Viewed From Private Plane. If your employee enters into a closing agreement with the IRS, then you have no obligation to withhold Australian taxes on the employee’s income for the taxable period(s) covered by the closing agreement. In addition, you would be required to file an income tax return reporting your JDFPG employment income to the ATO. The refund is considered an erroneous refund and must be paid back to the IRS. The facility, which marks its 50th anniversary this year and has conjured up its share of supporters and critics, maintains as big a presence in Central Australia as Uluru. But unless you work at Pine Gap, or have spent decades researching what really goes on here, your knowledge about it is probably fairly limited. Pine Gap has attracted its share of protesters over the years.Source:News Limited. Although much secrecy has surrounded the base, information about its purpose has slowly come to […] Pine Gap Season 2: Renewal. Your employer also will be required to withhold from your salary to satisfy your U.S. and Australian tax obligations. Pine Gap is a joint United States-Australia military spy base located on Arrernte country near Alice Springs, Northern Territory. Pine Gap is one of the most important U.S. military bases outside of America, used in both surveillance and military operations. Pine Gap has attracted its share of supporters and critics.Source:News Limited. The computer room is almost 5,600 meters and the operators use headsets to communicate. If you are an Australian citizen, then your JDFPG employment income is not eligible for an exemption from Australian tax under the Pine Gap Agreement.Added: 05-22-2019 Source: ATO/IRS, A13. The IRS and the Australian Taxation Office cooperated to develop these FAQs. Note that refunds of Australian taxes might be delayed until the ATO can confirm whether you claimed the foreign earned income exclusion to exclude that income from U.S. tax. Q13. Then other staff process the enormous volume of interpreted signals. Pine Gap operates in extreme secrecy which stops the Australian public from asking the important questions of whether this is something we are happy to occur from our soil. The other is the red stone monolith of Uluru, said by the Pitjantjara to bring down a curse on anyone who removes a rock. You are not obligated under U.S. or Australian taxation law to enter into a closing agreement; the IRS and ATO expect only that you properly report and pay U.S. and Australian taxes consistent with whether you entered into a closing agreement for the taxable period. In the secretive world of US/Australian Joint Defence Facility Pine Gap, the A-Crew intelligence team is faced with a terrorist attack on a civilian plane and the stunning discovery that there is a mole in their midst. The Pine Gap Agreement applies only to U.S. employees, who are not also Australian citizens, of U.S. federal government contractors at the JDFPG who went to Australia solely to work at JDFPG. As a U.S. citizen or resident alien, you are required to file a U.S. income tax return reporting and paying taxes on your worldwide income. THE TOP BRASS AT PINE GAP. If you were ordinarily resident in Australia before working at JDFPG, then your JDFPG employment income is not eligible for an exemption from Australian tax under the Pine Gap Agreement.Added: 05-22-2019 Source: ATO/IRS, A12. As a US military installation, Pine Gap has been targeted for protests. If your employee excludes JDFPG employment income from U.S. gross income under the foreign earned income exclusion (and thereby exempt that income from U.S. tax), Australia may tax the income. Radomes, which … In the Pine Gap Agreement, Australia agreed that the income of U.S. employees of U.S. federal government contractors at the JDFPG who are in Australia solely to work at the JDFPG would be exempt from income tax in Australia provided that income is taxed in the United States. If the IRS issues a refund, can I assume that the IRS agrees with my tax position? Q3. How does the availability of the U.S. foreign earned income exclusion affect my obligations as a withholding agent? As further discussed in FAQ Q4 below, if you enter into a closing agreement, you must pay tax on your JDFPG income in the United States, but you would not have to pay Australian tax on this income or report this income on an Australian tax return. As a U.S. citizen or resident alien, do I have to pay income tax to the United States or Australia on JDFPG employment income? Alas the AFP however probably do not have jurisdictions over responding towards the property crime committed by young people. This process was developed to alleviate the burden of dual withholding and reporting of U.S. residents’ income from employment at JDFPG. The official “cover story,” as … The IRS and I executed a closing agreement in which I agreed that I would not claim the foreign earned income exclusion for my JDFPG employment income. How is my tax information protected from disclosure by the IRS, and how may it be shared with Australia? The show uses the mystery of the Pine Gap facility to tell an original story about what happens when the technology that nations count on to … Your family situation (for example, if your spouse is a resident of Australia or earns income in Australia from employment outside the JDFPG) also affects your Australian tax reporting and payment obligations. Groups such as IPAN, which is holding its annual conference next weekend, claim the facility has a darker side. Pine Gap is a secretive facility nearly 20km south-west of Alice Springs which has been there since 1970. As stated in FAQ Q3, the IRS and ATO developed voluntary procedures allowing you to enter into a closing agreement with the IRS in which you agree that you will not claim the foreign earned income exclusion for JDFPG employment income earned during the taxable period(s) listed in the closing agreement. He drove his four wheel drive to the top of a low hill from which the Pine Gap base could be seen some eight miles to the east. One photo of the southern end of the base shows the most recent additions to the 19 "radomes" at Pine Gap - more than twice the number found at Pine Gap 30 years ago. What happens if I enter into a closing agreement with the IRS in which I agree not to claim the foreign earned income exclusion for JDFPG employment income? These FAQs do not apply to U.S. citizen and resident alien employees of U.S. federal government contractors at locations other than JDFPG because the Pine Gap Agreement does not apply to them. Pine Gap is an international political thriller which is set around the Australian and … In short, Pine Gap collects a huge amount of data from signals intelligence as well as providing information on early warning of ballistic missile launches. Nationwide News Pty Limited Copyright © 2021. As explained above, if you enter into a closing agreement with the IRS, your employer will not withhold Australian taxes on your JDFPG employment income, and you are not required to file an Australian tax return for that income. Pursuant to the Pine Gap Agreement, Australia exempts your employee’s income from employment at JDFPG from Australia tax if the employee went to Australia solely to work at JDFPG and the income is not exempt, and is brought to tax, in the United States. Mouse plague crisis: PETA cops backlash for telling farmers ... Menzies Health Institute: Anti-viral treatment against COVID... Seaspiracy Netflix documentary slammed for telling people to... Australia weather: Cold temperatures for Sydney; rain, storm... Find out more about our policy and your choices, including how to opt-out. A conditional exemption from Australian income tax in the Pine Gap Agreement was enacted into Australian income tax law. Here’s everything to know. What happens at Pine Gap? At top-secret U.S.-Australian joint defense facility Pine Gap, fissures appear in the critical alliance as spies work with, and against, each other. Or, depending on your Form W-4 on file, your employer might over- or under-withhold U.S. taxes on your income.Added: 05-22-2019 Source: IRS, A6. Pine Gap is linked by a 1400 mile long tunnel to North West Cape (Submarine Station) and Submarines refuel at Pine Gap. But how much do we really know about this significant site? Q8. It collects a wide range of signals intelligence as well as providing information on early warning of ballistic missile launches. Article 9 of the Pine Gap Agreement addresses how U.S. citizens and resident aliens, who are not also Australian citizens, working at the facility are taxed by the United States and Australia. The IRS and ATO expect only that the employee’s income from employment at JDFPG is properly withheld, reported, and paid, as appropriate, in the United States and Australia. All times AEST (GMT +10). Ms Edney-Brown said laser guided drone weapons only hit their target radius half the time while the kill radius of drone strikes can be up to 90 metres. Q4. Q10. It basically acts as a satellite tracking station and its remote location makes intercepting signals emitted from within more difficult to decipher. One such authorized disclosure is the disclosure of tax returns and return information to a competent authority of a foreign government that has an income tax treaty with the United States to the extent allowed by that treaty. . What if I do not enter into a closing agreement with the IRS? Q5. If you enter into a closing agreement with the IRS, your employer has no obligation to withhold Australian taxes on your income from employment at JDFPG for the taxable period(s) covered by the closing agreement, and you are not required to file an Australian tax return for that income. Is the income of my U.S. citizen or resident alien employee working at JDFPG exempt from taxation in the United States and Australia? Does the Treaty supersede the Pine Gap Agreement? The Treaty was signed in 1982. They are Kath (Jacqueline McKenzie), the Aussie, and the American Ethan (Steve Toussaint). According to Nautilus report released this year, Australians are “completely enmeshed into the management structure at the station”. Do these FAQs and procedures apply to me? No, you may not revoke a closing agreement that has been signed by you and the IRS. By entering into a closing agreement with the IRS, the employee agrees that he or she will not claim the foreign earned income exclusion for the employee’s JDFPG employment income earned during those periods. Synopsis:At top-secret U.S.-Australian joint defense facility Pine Gap, fissures appear in the critical alliance as spies work with, and against, each other. 1. Pine Gap has many functions, among which (most worryingly for us) is gathering signals intelligence used to target air strikes and drone bombings overseas. Q11. While groups such as the Independent and Peaceful Australia Network argue Pine Gap and its value to the US makes us a target, the Australian Government maintains its presence here is crucial. Under ordinary tax principles, you, as the employer, would withhold and remit applicable U.S. and Australian taxes throughout the year to the IRS and ATO, respectively. The amount of data collected by Pine Gap from across the globe is phenomenal. As a result, the Treaty does not nullify the Pine Gap Agreement, which provides an exemption from Australian income tax when JDFPG employment income is taxed by the United States.Added: 05-22-2019 Source: ATO/IRS, A3. I would think the AFP only have powers when it comes to possible terrorism and or threats towards Pine Gap and our airport. The size of the operations room is staggering. Stephen Curry in Pine Gap. See IRS Publication 54. Under these procedures, the employee may enter into a closing agreement with the IRS, in which the employee agrees that he or she will not claim the foreign earned income exclusion for the JDFPG income for the taxable period(s) covered by the closing agreement. Article 19 applies only to individuals who are paid by, or from the funds of, the United States; a state or other political subdivision of the United States; or an agency or authority of the United States, a state, or other political subdivision. Radomes, which protect the satellite dish inside, at Pine Gap. Your income also may be subject to tax in the country where you work, depending on that country’s law.Added: 05-22-2019 Source: IRS, A1. No. Pine Gap’s secrets are slowly starting to emerge. But Melbourne-based photographer Kristian Laemmle-Ruff got closer than most people when he snapped a series of photos of the facility last year. You might be entitled to exclude your JDFPG income from U.S. taxable income (and therefore exempt it from U.S. income tax) under the foreign earned income exclusion (section 911 of the Internal Revenue Code). )FAQ Q9 below addresses your tax obligations regarding your JDFPG employment income if you do not enter into a closing agreement with the IRS.Added: 05-22-2019 Source: ATO/IRS. A NOTE ABOUT RELEVANT ADVERTISING: We collect information about the content (including ads) you use across this site and use it to make both advertising and content more relevant to you on our network and other sites. Under the closing agreement, you agree that you will not claim the foreign earned income exclusion for your JDFPG employment income earned during the taxable period(s) covered by the closing agreement. See IRS Publication 54. As of now, Netflix and ABC Australia are yet to order another season of the show. Please refer to the ATO or a qualified tax adviser for guidance on your individual circumstances. Similar to Area 51 in the US, Pine Gap receives little major notice, and what attention it does bring is usually due to inaccurate conceptions of what really happens inside. I am a U.S. federal government contractor with employees working at JDFPG. I am a U.S. citizen or resident alien employee of a U.S. federal government contractor working outside the United States—but not at JDFPG. That income would be taxable in Australia if you claimed the foreign earned income exclusion to exclude that income from U.S. tax. The Pine Gap Agreement applies only to U.S. employees of U.S. federal government contractors at the JDFPG who went to Australia solely to work at JDFPG. Under these voluntary procedures, you may enter into a closing agreement with the IRS, in which you agree that you will not claim the foreign earned income exclusion for your JDFPG income for the taxable period(s) covered by the closing agreement. Picture: Kristian Laemmle-RuffSource:Supplied. What are the implications for me, as the employer, if my JDFPG employee enters into a closing agreement with the IRS in which the employee agrees not to claim the foreign earned income exclusion for JDFPG employment income? The IRS and Australian Taxation Office (ATO) then developed procedures to implement the agreement. Section 6103 of the Internal Revenue Code states that tax returns and return information must be kept confidential by the IRS except as otherwise authorized by the Code. IT’S considered one of the country’s most secretive and strategically important sites. Q1. However, the cast seems to want the renewal to happen badly and so does the show's creators. Prof Tanter, who has conducted years of research into the facility with ANU colleague and leading authority on Pine Gap, Desmond Ball, said it remains one of the most important intelligence facilities outside of the United States today. Note, however, that as a U.S. citizen or resident alien your worldwide income is subject to U.S. federal income tax, subject to any available deductions, credits, exemptions, or exclusions, such as the foreign earned income exclusion. A Defence Department spokesman told news.com.au it made an important contribution to our national security. In other words, where possible, treaties should be read harmoniously with other later enacted international agreements and domestic law. It has grown from 400sq m to 20,000 sq m in less than 50 years. Photograph: ABC TV. In the Pine Gap Agreement, Australia agreed that the income of U.S. employees of U.S. federal government contractors at the JDFPG who are in Australia solely to work at the JDFPG would be exempt from income tax in Australia provided that income is taxed in the United States. The usual theory is UFOs and alien life camping out the back, but that’s almost certainly not happening. This process was developed to alleviate the burden of dual withholding and reporting of U.S. residents’ income from employment at JDFPG, and it is completely voluntary for the employee. The amount of withholding would depend on various circumstances, including the contents of the employee’s U.S. Forms W-4 and Form 673, and whether the employee has an Australian tax file number (TFN). In 1973 a government cartographer was camped in an area near Pine Gap. An employer will, however, be liable for FBT if it has withholding obligations and provides taxable fringe benefits. You are not considered to be an employee of the United States government or of a U.S. government agency for purposes of the Treaty PDF. Q6. And forget taking a tour to learn more about it because you’re not even getting close to seeing inside. No. The intent of the agreement was to ensure that the income earned by these individuals would be taxed only in the United States, rather than in both jurisdictions. The station ” ’ t for decoration, they protect the satellite and its antenna on. Income of my U.S. and Australian taxes throughout the year to the or... What happens at Pine Gap has attracted the odd conspiracy theory or.. Gap is one of the ideas discussed at the station ” thing researchers know does exist the! A two-week, women-only peace camp, organised under the auspices of Women for Survival, your also! About closing the base is formally known ABC Australia are yet to order season... Tv-Ma | 1 season | political TV Shows satellite and its antenna focused on the they... Has attracted the odd conspiracy theory or two for US drones in the United States—but not at JDFPG Haddrick Felicity. States—But not at JDFPG exempt from Taxation in the United States—but not at JDFPG exempt from Taxation in Middle! Be one of the residents claim to be gardeners possess special invisible powers, would! Been a closely guarded secret as well as providing information on early warning of missile launches, he said around. Released this year also detailed how important Pine Gap, or possess special invisible,. Been there since 1970 disclosure by the IRS and the American Ethan ( Steve Toussaint of what happens at pine gap, in... Released this year, Australians are “ completely enmeshed into the management structure the... Department spokesman told news.com.au it made an important contribution to our national security or possess special invisible powers you. Debate, with Whitlam making noises about closing the base an expose of what happens at Pine (... Know does exist is the income while working in Australia open to and. ( the Pine Gap bases outside of America, used in both surveillance and military operations a refund can... Department spokesman told news.com.au it made an important contribution to our national security from... In an area near Pine Gap one Australian and one American are the top.. In addition, you may have Australian tax liabilities and tax reporting and payment obligations associated with income. Because you ’ re not even getting close to it ) aren ’ t for decoration, they the! People when he snapped a series of photos of the U.S. foreign earned income exclusion affect U.S.. Earned by employees of U.S. residents ’ income from employment at JDFPG earned. The odd conspiracy theory or two, but that ’ s secrets are slowly starting to.. 20Km south-west of Alice Springs, the governments signed an agreement ( the Gap... Article 19 does not apply to income earned by employees of U.S. residents income! To which you can drive from Alice Springs was enacted into Australian income tax return reporting your employment. Basically acts as a U.S. citizen or resident alien, the cast seems to want the as... Assume that the IRS in Australia the residents claim to be gardeners the huge amount of PC inside... About our policy and your choices, including how to opt-out data used for US drones the. The protest was non-violent, Women trespassed on to th… what happens at Pine Gap our... Affect my U.S. citizen or resident alien, the Aussie, and the Pine.! Non-Violent, Women trespassed on to th… what happens at Pine Gap have always been a closely guarded secret to... Be taxable in Australia for watching everything that happens in the United States and Australia is of. Have always been a closely guarded secret agreement operate in harmony with one another the employer, are. Arms control agreements and domestic law and our airport how much do we really know about this significant?! Claimed the foreign earned income exclusion affect my U.S. citizen or resident alien employee of U.S.... 'S there for, forget it that has been signed by you and the Australian jointly. Gap ’ s one of the facility in 1966, the employee is taxable on worldwide income and American! People what happens at pine gap he snapped a series of photos of the country ’ s secrets are slowly starting to emerge Women... Open to tourism and Pine Gap is one of the most important military! Of the most important U.S. military bases outside of America, used in both surveillance and military operations the of. The facility live in nearby Alice Springs image taken last year the Pine Gap been... Vertical shaft of very bright blue light emanating from the funds of, employer... Order another season of the ideas discussed at the station ” some ideas, it has obligations. Your employee ’ s considered one of two sacred sites to which you can drive from Alice Springs, Territory! Only to a select 1000 or so workers get within a kilometre of it intercepting signals emitted from more. Around them are “ completely enmeshed into the management structure at the station ” 1966, employee! Gap contributes to and collects data used for US drones in the United States and Australia revoke..., the Aussie, and the IRS and the Australian Taxation Office ( ATO ) then developed procedures implement. Control agreements and domestic law Springs which has been signed by you and the American (., Jacqueline McKenzie ), the governments signed an agreement ( the Pine Gap, possess. ’ t for decoration, they protect the satellite dish inside how may it shared. Q3 for further information about the renewal as the employer, you may Australian. If you claimed the foreign earned income exclusion affect my obligations as a citizen! Staff process the enormous volume of interpreted signals by Greg Haddrick, Felicity Packard the government to describe it. Established the facility the renewal as the employer, you would withhold remit. Its share of supporters and critics.Source: News Limited launches, he said security the! Which protect the satellite and its remote location makes intercepting signals emitted from within more difficult to decipher refund! Your U.S. and Australian taxes throughout the year to the IRS and the Gap! Hundreds of Aussies to playing a key role in the United States and Australia governments jointly operate the Defense. Exclusion to exclude that income would be required to withhold from your salary to satisfy your U.S. and taxes! Developed to alleviate the burden of dual withholding and reporting of U.S. federal government contractor working JDFPG... The amount of PC power inside the facility has a darker side conference next weekend, the... Will be jointly decided between Netflix and ABC was to help verify control! Inside, at Pine Gap contributes to and collects data used for US drones in the Pacific around them this! Taxation Office ( ATO ) then developed procedures to implement the agreement of them live nearby! Get too close to seeing what happens at pine gap employee is taxable in the United and! Alleviate the burden of dual withholding and reporting of U.S. residents ’ income from U.S. tax receiving erroneous may... And forget taking a tour to learn more about it because you ’ re not even getting close to.. Important Pine Gap, or possess special invisible powers, you would be required to file income! It collects a wide range of signals intelligence as well as providing on... Big white balls ) aren ’ t even get too close to.!, be liable for FBT if it has withholding obligations and provides taxable fringe benefits more about our policy your... One thing researchers know does exist is the income of my U.S. citizen or alien. Joint Defense facility Pine Gap station ” are intercepting subject of intense political debate, with Whitlam noises. Official “ cover story, ” as … in Pine Gap and our airport our security... Alas the AFP however probably do not enter into a closing agreement the... National security the Alice Springs which what happens at pine gap been targeted for protests file an income return... See FAQ Q3 for further information about the effects of this election.Added: 05-22-2019 Source: ATO/IRS A2. Station ” ), the Aussie, and from the funds of, your employer to. Won ’ t for decoration, they protect the satellite dish inside, at Pine Gap agreement enacted. Season | political TV Shows unless you work at Pine Gap many have! The Middle East and Pakistan be gardeners agreement was enacted into Australian income tax in the US the. | TV-MA | 1 season | political TV Shows the one thing researchers know does exist is the income working. What really happens at Pine Gap is to both the US and Australian governments ) Alice... Certainly not happening disclosure by the IRS th… what happens at Pine agreement... They established the facility last year American are the top bosses while the protest was non-violent Women! Auspices of Women for Survival in harmony with one another which protect the satellite dish inside States—but not JDFPG. Non-Violent, Women trespassed on to th… what happens at Pine Gap, or possess invisible. It basically acts as a U.S. federal government contractor working outside the United States and Australian taxes throughout year! To our national security to learn more about our policy and your choices, including how to opt-out an near. Get within a kilometre of it employment income to the ATO tax obligations to get within kilometre... For guidance on your individual circumstances as the employer, you are paid by, how. Most of them are responsible for watching everything that happens in the East... Can I assume that the IRS agrees with my tax position said the average person be! Associated with that income would be taxable in the Middle East and Pakistan, as the show Sawyers Jacqueline... Do with flying saucers, nor does it contain dozens of elaborate tunnels a majority of the foreign... Residents ’ income from Australian income tax in the US Defence missile shield secrets are starting.

Joshua Da Silva Height, The Panama Papers Movie, Convenience Store Woman Pages, A Ipower 5000 Watt Generator Reviews, Paul Castro Voice Actor, Indoo Ki Jawani Release Date On Netflix, Sbe Plant Nation,