Quote Originally Posted by jnk View Post
I doubt the ATO are interested at that level. The Girls if allowed to work (on their visas) are mostly students and wouldn't earn enough to pay tax anyway. I also doubt that the shops dodge tax any more than any other cash based service.
I'd say it's political pressure that brought this on.
Are you joking? lol

MLs earn a CRAP LOAD more than $18000 a year. ML's who only get 3 customers a day for 3 days a week will earn about $15000 just from the shop let alone the tips. The average ML will earn $50K+ and the popular MLs are earning between $100K and $200K.
The tax free amount is only for student visa holders. Working holiday visa holders are subject to the new backpacker taxes so the ATO are SPECIFICALLY interested in them.