“Australian families are benefiting on average by $813 from the Federal Government’s Child Care Tax Rebate”, Assistant Treasurer and Minister for Revenue, Peter Dutton MP, announced today.
“Over 193,000 Australian families have claimed the rebate as part of their tax returns this year. That’s a total of $157 million to assist families to help with the cost of raising a family.”
“This is great news for families and another example of how the Howard Government is providing practical support to parents across Australia,” Mr Dutton said.
“Today is also good news for those families who are eligible for the rebate but forgot to claim when completing their tax return.”
“Today marks the start of the Australian Tax Office’s (ATO) automatic amendment process. Based on the information held by the Family Assistance Office, the ATO will automatically amend the tax returns of those people who are eligible for the rebate but didn't claim,” he said
“This will save people the effort of having to re-submit any paperwork and will assist another 140 000 families with their child care costs.”
“For most families, the amendments by the ATO will result in a tax refund, or will go to reduce any tax debts they may have.”
“There is no need for people to do anything, the ATO will either send people a cheque or arrange a direct deposit.”
Mr Dutton said that next year, the system will be even smoother for people with the automatic amendment occurring before tax returns are finalised.
The child care tax rebate covers 30 per cent of the out of pocket expenses of child care up to $4000 per child per year. It is a tax offset and reduces the amount of tax that people have to pay.