Child Care Tax Rebate Reminder
As part of the Government’s Tax Laws Amendment (2005 Measures No. 4) Act 2005 parents are reminded the 30 per cent child care tax rebate is available. It helps families reduce their costs for approved child care.
The rebate is 30 per cent of the parent’s out-of-pocket child care expenses incurred with a maximum rebate of $4,000 per child per year per primary claimant. Out-of-pocket child care expenses are the total child care fees less the child care benefit (CCB) entitlement. The rebate is a non-refundable offset which can only reduce your tax liability to nil. You cannot get any of the unused amount of the rebate refunded to you.
If you are eligible, you can start to claim the rebate in your income tax return for the year ended 30June 2006. You will be able to claim for the
out-of-pocket expenses you incurred from 1July 2004 to 30June 2005 in this return. You are required to have kept records of approved child care expenses incurred throughout the income tax years.
You may be eligible to claim the rebate if you:
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Received the child care benefit (CCB)
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Passed the work/training/study test, and
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Used approved child care such as long day care, family day care, in-home care, outside school hours care, vacation care, and some occasional care services.
To pass the work/training/study test you and your spouse must either be working, performing voluntary work, looking for work, training or studying. Meeting the work/training/study test means you are eligible to claim up to 50hours of CCB per child per week.
For more information about the rebate contact the Family Assistance Office on 13 61 50.