Collecting GST on overseas purchases not easy - tax expert

A tax specialist says the government's indulging in 'industrial strength optimism' if it thinks retailers around the world will jump on board its plan for them to collect GST. People who order goods from overseas pay GST only if they spend more than $400. But from October next year the government wants GST paid on all online purchases. Mark Keating is a former Inland Revenue senior solicitor who's now a barrister specialising in tax law and GST.