The Government has announced a substantial increase in the dependent spouse rebate to $2,100 (up from $1,655) for the 2007-08 financial year and beyond. This increase will benefit taxpayers with a dependent spouse, who do not have a dependent child.
This change will also allow the dependent spouse to earn more income before the rebate is completely phased-out. The dependent spouse rebate will be completely phased-out when the spouse has separate net income of $8,681 (up from $6,901 currently).
The full dependent spouse rebate is available to a resident taxpayer who contributes to the maintenance of a resident spouse whose separate net income does not exceed $282. The rebate is reduced by $1 for every $4 by which the dependent spouse’s separate net income exceeds $282.