Commonwealth of Australia Explanatory Memoranda Commonwealth of Australia Explanatory Memoranda[Index] [Search] [Download] [Bill] [Help]
2008
THE PARLIAMENT OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Tax Laws Amendment (Education refund) Bill 2008
EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM
(Circulated by the authority of the
Treasurer, the Hon Wayne Swan MP)
Table of contents
Glossary 1
General outline and financial impact 3
Chapter 1 The Education Tax Refund 5
Index 23
Glossary
The following abbreviations and acronyms are used throughout this
explanatory memorandum.
|Abbreviation |Definition |
|Commissioner |Commissioner of Taxation |
|DEEWR Secretary |Secretary of the Department |
| |of Education, Employment and |
| |Workplace Relations |
|FaHCSIA Secretary |Secretary of the Department |
| |of Families, Housing, |
| |Community Services and |
| |Indigenous Affairs |
|FTB |Family Tax Benefit |
|ITAA 1997 |Income Tax Assessment Act |
| |1997 |
|PAYG |pay as you go |
|TAA 1953 |Taxation Administration Act |
| |1953 |
|TFNs |tax file numbers |
General outline and financial impact
The Education Tax Refund
This Bill amends the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 by introducing
a 50 per cent refundable tax offset for eligible education expenses
(the Education Tax Refund) up to a maximum of $750 for children
undertaking primary studies and $1,500 for children undertaking
secondary studies.
Date of effect: The Education Tax Refund applies to eligible
expenses incurred from 1 July 2008.
Proposal announced: This measure was announced by the Government
in its election document A Tax Plan for Australia's Future on
18 October 2007. Further policy details were provided in the
Treasurer's Media Release No. 039 of 13 May 2008 released jointly
with the Minister for Education.
Financial impact: This measure will cost:
|2008-09 |2009-10 |2010-11 |2011-12 |
|$1,015m |$1,095m |$1,135m |$1,165m |
Compliance cost impact: Low.
Chapter 1
The Education Tax Refund
Outline of chapter
1. This Bill amends the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 (ITAA 1997) by
introducing a 50 per cent refundable tax offset on eligible
educational expenses.
2. Eligible taxpayers can claim up to $750 of eligible expenses for
each child undertaking primary school studies (ie, a tax offset of
up to $375 per child, per year) and $1,500 for each child
undertaking secondary school studies (ie, a tax offset of up to
$750 per child, per year).
3. All references to legislative provisions in this chapter are
references to the ITAA 1997 unless otherwise stated.
Context of amendments
4. In the 2007 election document A Tax Plan for Australia's Future,
the Government announced a 50 per cent tax offset for eligible
education expenses. Further policy details were provided in the
Treasurer's Media Release No. 039 of 13 May 2008, released jointly
with the Minister for Education.
5. The object of the Education Tax Refund is to assist families with
the cost of certain education expenses such as for the purchase of
a home computer, home Internet connection, school textbooks and
stationary items.
Summary of new law
6. The amendments to the ITAA 1997 will provide individuals with a 50
per cent tax offset of eligible educational expenses made during an
income year. The tax offset applies up to:
. $750 of eligible expenses for each child undertaking a
recognised course of primary school studies (ie, an offset
of up to $375 per child, per income year); and
. $1,500 of eligible expenses for each child undertaking a
recognised course of secondary school studies (ie, an
offset of up to $750 per child, per year).
7. The offset is a refundable tax offset, which means that any part of
the offset that cannot be used to reduce tax liability is paid out
to the taxpayer.
Comparison of key features of new law and current law
|New law |Current law |
|Taxpayers who are |No equivalent. |
|entitled to Family Tax | |
|Benefit (FTB) Part A for | |
|an income year are | |
|eligible to receive a 50 | |
|per cent tax offset on | |
|eligible education | |
|expenses in respect of | |
|each child. | |
|Taxpayers whose child | |
|would be an FTB child but| |
|for the fact that they or| |
|the child are receiving | |
|certain payments such as | |
|the Youth Allowance or | |
|the Disability Support | |
|Pension are also eligible| |
|for the tax offset in | |
|respect of the child. | |
|Students in receipt of | |
|certain payments such as | |
|the Youth Allowance and | |
|the Disability Support | |
|Pension, and who satisfy | |
|an independence | |
|requirement that is | |
|relevant to the amount of| |
|the payment they receive | |
|are also eligible for the| |
|tax offset for their own | |
|education expenses. | |
|The maximum amount of |No equivalent. |
|expenses that can be | |
|claimed is $750 for each | |
|child undertaking primary| |
|school studies (ie, an | |
|offset of up to $375 per | |
|child) and $1,500 for | |
|each child undertaking | |
|secondary school studies | |
|(ie, an offset of up to | |
|$750 per child). | |
Detailed explanation of new law
8. This Bill amends the ITAA 1997 to allow taxpayers to claim a 50 per
cent tax offset for eligible educational expenses. They can claim
up to $750 of eligible expenses for each child undertaking primary
school studies (ie, an offset of up to $375 per child, per year)
and $1,500 for each child undertaking secondary school studies (ie,
an offset of up to $750 per child, per year). [Schedule 1, item 3,
Subdivision 61-M]
Entitlement to the Education Tax Refund
9. Taxpayers are entitled to the education expenses tax offset on a
certain day if:
. on that day:
- the taxpayer (including an approved care organisation)
is entitled to an FTB Part A payment for a child;
- the taxpayer and/or their child, or another person on
the child's behalf, are in receipt of certain other
prescribed payments (listed in paragraph 1.11) for the
child that would otherwise preclude them from receiving
FTB Part A payments for that child; or
- the taxpayer (the student) is entitled to certain
prescribed payments and is assessed as independent for
the purposes of the payment; and
. the taxpayer's child, or the student is enrolled or
registered in a primary or secondary school course during
any day in the same half-year as the day occurs and
attends their course at least one day in that half year;
and
. the taxpayer, on behalf of their child, or the student, on
their own behalf, incurs an eligible education expense on
that day.
[Schedule 1, item 3, section 61-610]
Eligibility for Family Tax Benefit Part A or certain prescribed
payments
10. To be eligible to claim the tax offset in respect of a child, a
taxpayer must be entitled to receive an FTB Part A payment for a
child who is undertaking primary or secondary school studies.
[Schedule 1, item 3, subsection 61-620(1)]
11. A taxpayer may also be eligible for the tax offset if their child,
or they or another person on the child's behalf, are receiving
certain payments or allowances under a prescribed educational
scheme, a social security pension or benefit, or payments under a
Labour Market Program for a child undertaking primary or secondary
school studies, that precludes the individual from receiving an FTB
Part A payment for that child. [Schedule 1, item 3, subsection 61-
620(2)]
Eligibility for an independent student
12. An independent student can claim the tax offset, in respect of
their own educational expenses, on a day where they are:
. receiving payments under a prescribed educational scheme
(within the meaning of the Social Security Act 1991); or a
social security pension or benefit (within the meaning of
that Act); or payments under a program included in the
programs known as Labour Market Programs; and they satisfy
an independence requirement that is relevant to the amount
of the payment [Schedule 1, item 3, subsection 61-610(2)];
. undertaking full-time primary or secondary school studies;
. under 25, an Australian resident or a special category
visa holder, and residing in Australia; and
. they incur an eligible education expense.
13. However, a student is not entitled to the tax offset on a day that
another individual or entity is entitled to the tax offset in
respect of them. [Schedule 1, item 3, subsection 61-610(2)]
Eligibility for an approved care organisation
14. An approved care organisation is also eligible to claim the tax
offset if it is entitled to receive FTB Part A payments for an
individual (child) on a certain day and:
. the child is enrolled or registered in a primary or
secondary school course in the same six-month period and
attends at least one day in that period; and
. the organisation has incurred an eligible education
expense for the child on that day.
[Schedule 1, item 3, subsection 61-620(3)]
An individual finishing full-time schooling
15. If the taxpayer's child ceases full-time studies part way through a
financial year, they will be eligible for the tax offset for the
part of the year that their child meets the schooling requirement.
An individual is still eligible in the financial year that
coincides with the child ceasing full-time schooling even if their
child has an income that exceeds the child income test limit for an
FTB child under item 2, paragraph (a) in the table in subsection
22A(1) of the A New Tax System (Family Assistance) Act 1999 (or
for approved care organisations, paragraph (a) in item 2 in the
table in subsection 35(1) of that Act). [Schedule 1, item 3,
subsection 61-620(4)]
1. : An individual finishing full-time schooling
Sharon's daughter Ashlee completed full-time secondary
school studies in December and has secured work for the
remainder of the financial year that would earn her an
income that exceeds the child income test limit for her to
be an FTB child. Sharon incurred $2,000 in eligible
expenses in the final half-year of Ashlee's secondary
school studies. Even though Ashlee's income for the year
is over the child income test limit and she only meets the
schooling requirement for half of the financial year,
Sharon would still be entitled to claim the tax offset on
$750 of her expenses leading to a refund of $375.
Schooling requirement
16. A child or independent student satisfies the schooling requirement
for the purposes of the tax offset, for each half year commencing 1
July or 1 January, if he or she:
. is registered or enrolled:
- in a primary or secondary school course within the
meaning of the A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax
) Act 1999 (this could include a primary or secondary
course provided at an educational institution such as a
TAFE);
- with the education authority of the State or Territory
in which the individual resides as a home schooled
student; or
- in a course of study or instruction determined by the
Minister administering the Student Assistance Act 1973
to be a course to which the education expenses tax
offset applies; and
. attends the course of study or instruction, or received
the home schooling, at least one day in a six-month period
commencing from 1 July or 1 January.
[Schedule 1, item 3, section 61-630]
17. The effect of the schooling requirement is that a child or student
who enters or leaves school part way through the financial year, or
for another reason only satisfies the criteria for one half of the
financial year, will only be eligible for the offset for half of
the financial year that they attended school. [Schedule 1, item 3,
section 61-630]
1. : A child who commences primary school
Andrew started his first ever day of primary school in
February 2009. In January, his parents bought him
stationery including crayons and paints, and other learning
material he needed to start his schooling. Andrew's parents
qualify for the schooling requirement from 1 January to 30
June 2009 as Andrew was enrolled at a school and attended at
least one day in the six-month period. Subject to
satisfying the other eligibility requirements, Andrew's
parents will be able to claim half of the tax offset in
their 2008-09 income tax return. As Andrew did not attend
school for the first half of the 2008-09 financial year -
1 July to 30 December 2008 - he does not satisfy the
schooling requirement and thus they will not be able
to claim the offset in respect of this period.
2. : A child who transitions from primary to high school
Tony commences year 7 at a New South Wales high school in
February 2009. Tony's parents purchase a computer for him
in March 2009. As Tony also attended year 6 at primary
school the year before he commenced year 7, he satisfies the
schooling requirement for the whole of the 2008-09 income
tax year from 1 July 2008 to 30 June 2009. Therefore,
subject to his parents satisfying the other eligibility
requirements, Tony's parents will be able to claim the full
amount of the tax offset in their 2008-09 income tax return.
In addition, as Tony transitioned from primary school to
high school during the 2008-09 financial year, his parents
are eligible for the amount of offset for a high school
student of up to $750 (see paragraph 1.34 for more
information about this rule).
3. : A student who ceases full-time schooling in Australia
Mark is 22 and independently completing his secondary
schooling. Mark has a part-time job and receives Youth
Allowance. From 1 July 2008 to December 2008 Mark completed
year 11. Mark is assessed as an independent student for the
purposes of the tax offset and in August 2008 he purchases a
computer at a cost of $1,500 for his studies. In February
2009, Mark goes on a six-month overseas school exchange
program. In this circumstance, Mark could only claim half
of the offset for his educational expenses (ie, $750 of
eligible expenses leading to an offset of $375) as he was
not resident in Australia in the second half of the
financial year and did not attend schooling in Australia in
the six-month period commencing from 1 January 2009.
Eligible education expenses
18. An eligible education expense is one that is incurred by a
taxpayer, or their partner, and the taxpayer is entitled to FTB
Part A payments or other prescribed payments for a child. An
eligible expense is also one that is incurred by a student who is
eligible for a payment listed in paragraph 1.12. In addition, the
expense must relate to the education of the child or the student,
be of a kind specified in the legislation and have been incurred on
a day when the child (or student) satisfied the schooling
requirement. For the purposes of this legislation 'partner' has
the meaning as defined under the Social Security Act 1991.
[Schedule 1, item 3, subsection 61-640(1)]
19. Eligible expenses are items that support a child's schooling and
education covering the purchase, lease, hire or hire-purchase costs
of:
. laptops, home computers and associated costs (eg, this
could include a number of computer components purchased to
build a home computer);
. computer-related equipment such as printers; and
disability aids to assist the use of computer equipment
for students with disabilities;
. home Internet connection;
. computer software (such as word processing, spreadsheet,
database and presentation software and educational games;
and Internet filters and antivirus software);
. school textbooks and other paper-based school learning
material (including prescribed textbooks, associated
learning materials, study guides and stationery); and
. tools of trade (as prescribed by the course).
[Schedule 1, item 3, subsection 61-640(4)]
20. Eligible expenses also include repair and running costs of
computers and computer-related equipment including printers and
disability aids.
21. The costs of establishing and maintaining a home Internet
connection are also eligible expenses.
22. Expenses that are not eligible expenses for the purposes of the tax
offset include:
. school fees;
. school uniform expenses;
. student attendance at school-based extra-curricular
activities such as excursions;
. tutoring costs;
. game consoles; and
. school subject levies (eg, payment for consumables for
particular subjects such as woodwork, art or home
science).
23. The tax offset may not be claimed for an education expense to the
extent that the expense is tax deductible or subject to another tax
offset. [Schedule 1, item 3, paragraphs 61-640(2)(a) and (b)]
24. An education expense is also not covered for an individual by the
tax offset to the extent that they receive or are entitled to
receive payment or property as reimbursement or payment for the
expense under a Commonwealth Government benefit, grant or subsidy,
or a benefit, grant or subsidy prescribed in the regulations to
this legislation. [Schedule 1, item 3, paragraphs 61-640(2)(c) and
61-640(3)(a)]
25. In addition the regulations to this legislation may prescribe that
an expense of a particular kind is not an eligible education
expense for the purposes of the tax offset. [Schedule 1, item 3,
paragraph 61-640(3)(b)]
1. : Amount of eligible expenses where a grant is received
Johnny is enrolled in a carpentry apprenticeship as part of
his secondary school curriculum and purchased trade tools
during the year worth $2,000. As Johnny is enrolled in an
apprenticeship, he is eligible for a Commonwealth grant of
$800 to assist with the purchase of trade tools. As Johnny
has received a grant worth $800 towards the purchase of his
trade tools, he is only eligible to claim the tax offset for
the balance of that expenditure - that is, $1,200.
Pooling of expenses
26. Where expenses have been incurred by a taxpayer for more than one
eligible child, the expenses can be added together and divided
between the children when accessing the tax offset [Schedule 1,
item 3, paragraph 61-660(1)(a)]. However, this is provided that
all children involved would have access to the purchased item and
the item or items were purchased on a day when the taxpayer
satisfied the eligibility requirements for the offset for each
child.
1. : Pooling of education expenses in a family
Bruce and Joan have twins in secondary school. Bruce
purchases a computer worth $3,000 to which both children
have access. Bruce is able to divide the expense of the
computer between the twins and has $1,500 in eligible
expenses for each child. Therefore, Bruce would be entitled
to a total tax offset for his children of $1,500 (ie, double
the secondary school maximum offset amount of $750 per
child).
Amount of the education expenses tax offset that is claimable
27. The amount of tax offset that may be claimed in an income year is
the amount (rounded up to the nearest whole dollar) that is the
lesser of either:
. one half of the sum of all the eligible expenses incurred
for the current income year and any excess education
expenses incurred in the income year immediately before
the current year; and
. the offset limit calculated for the taxpayer in the income
year.
[Schedule 1, item 3, subsection 61-650(1)]
28. Education expenses in excess of the taxpayer's offset limit for a
financial year (as calculated in paragraph 1.34) can be carried
over to the following financial year. Excess expenses that are not
claimed in the subsequent income year automatically lapse.
[Schedule 1, item 3, section 61-680]
29. The excess is worked out by comparing half of the taxpayer's
education expenses to their tax offset limit. Any amount in excess
of the offset limit is then doubled to restore the expenses to
their original value. This expense amount can be used in the
following year when claiming the tax offset. [Schedule 1, item 3,
subsection 61-680(2)]
1. : Excess education expenses
Greg is in year 10. His parents purchased a computer, a
printer and a maths and language software program for
Greg's study totalling $1,800. This amount is then halved
($900) to work out whether they have excess expenses for
the current year. As half the amount of their expenses is
greater than their offset limit of $750 (for a high school
student), Greg's parents are entitled to a tax offset of
$750 (attributable to $1,500 worth of expenses) in the
current year in which the expenses are incurred. The
excess of $150 is then doubled to restore the original
value of the expenses and may then be claimed as an
eligible expense next financial year. That is, they may
put this expense towards their expenses incurred in the
following income year for the purposes of claiming the tax
offset in that financial year - assuming that Greg's
parents continue to be eligible for the tax offset.
Apportioning expenses in shared-care arrangements
30. Where a taxpayer and their partner are both eligible for FTB Part A
and thus are both eligible for the education expenses tax offset,
the taxpayer must apportion their expenses between each member of
the couple when working out their total expenses, so as to avoid
double counting. [Schedule 1, item 3, subsection 61-650(2)]
31. Members of a couple (within the meaning of the Social Security Act
1991) who are both entitled to FTB Part A for a child on a
particular day, would need to apportion all of their eligible
expenses incurred on that day (in the same way as their FTB Part A
is apportioned), for the purpose of calculating their expenses for
the tax offset. They would therefore need to take into account any
determination made under section 28 or 29 of the A New Tax System
(Family Assistance) Act 1999 of their percentage of FTB, and of
their partner's percentage of FTB, for the child for a period that
includes the day the expense was incurred. [Schedule 1, item 3,
subsection 61-650(2)]
32. Members of a couple who are both entitled to, or are receiving
certain payments (listed in paragraph 1.11), that preclude the
child from being their FTB child on a particular day also need to
apportion their expenses for that day between each member of the
couple.
. Unless a written agreement has been made nominating that
one member of the couple can claim the tax offset in
respect of the child or children for the period including
that particular day, each member of the couple must only
include half of each expense incurred by each member of
the couple when calculating their expenses for that day.
Where a written agreement exists the nominated member can
claim the whole of each expense incurred by each member of
the couple for the period.
[Schedule 1, item 3, subsection 61-650(3)]
33. Members of a couple, who care for a child who ceases full-time
schooling part way through a financial year and who would be their
FTB child but for the fact that the child had income in excess of
the child income test limit (as in paragraph 1.15), would also need
to apportion their expenses as described in paragraph 1.32.
[Schedule 1, item 3, subsection 61-650(3)]
Calculating a taxpayer's offset limit for the Education Tax Refund
34. The amount of the tax offset that can be claimed in respect of a
child or an independent student is calculated using the following
four steps:
. Step 1 - Start with either $750 for a child or student who
satisfies the schooling requirement for a secondary
student on a day in the current year or $375 for an
individual who satisfies the schooling requirement for a
primary school student on a day in the current year.
- Where an individual transitions from primary to
secondary school studies during a financial year the
$750 starting amount applies to them.
. Step 2 - Then add up the days in the current year on
which:
- the taxpayer satisfies the criteria for entitlement to
the tax offset as mentioned in paragraph 1.9.
. Note, some modifications apply to step 2 if the taxpayer
has a shared-care determination or similar arrangement for
the child and these are described in paragraphs 1.37 to
1.44.
. Step 3 - Then divide the result from step 2 by the number
of days in the current year and round the result to two
decimal places (rounding up if the third decimal place is
five or more).
. Step 4 - Lastly, multiply the result from step 1 by the
result from step 3 and round the result up to the nearest
whole dollar.
[Schedule 1, item 3, subsection 61-660(1)]
35. If the taxpayer has a number of children, these steps are repeated
for each child. The sum of the amounts worked out using the four
steps is the offset limit for the taxpayer. [Schedule 1, item 3,
subsection 61-660(1)]
1. : Calculating a taxpayer's offset limit
Ann is separated and at the start of the income year has 100
per cent care of her child, Donna, who is in full-time
secondary schooling. On 1 January the care arrangements
change so that Matthew has 100 per cent care of Donna.
Ann works out the offset limit for Donna by starting with
$750 (step 1).
Under step 2, Ann adds up the days in the year from 1 July
to 31 December, and under step 3 divides the result by the
number of days in the current year (184/365). The result is
rounded to 0.50.
Under step 4, the starting amount of $750 is multiplied by
the result from step 3. The result is $375 ($750 × 0.50).
If Ann can claim the offset for other children as well, this
process is followed for each child and the step 4 amounts
are added together to get Ann's offset limit.
36. The amounts listed in step 1 ($750 for secondary studies students
and $375 for primary studies students) are indexed annually to the
consumer price index using the method usually used in the income
tax law, which is set out in Subdivision 960-M of the ITAA 1997.
[Schedule 1, item 3, subsection 61-660(2)]
Shared care
37. Where a couple has a shared-care arrangement over a child, each
individual is only entitled to the portion of the offset amount
attributable to their percentage of FTB or their shared-care
percentage if they are entitled to FTB Part A, or a percentage
under a similar arrangement if they are entitled to another
payment. [Schedule 1, item 3, section 61-670]
Modification to step 2 for shared-care determinations
38. If you are entitled to FTB Part A on a particular day and a
determination has been made under section 28 or 29 of the A New Tax
System (Family Assistance) Act 1999 of your percentage of the FTB
for the child for the period that includes that day and step 2
applies to that day, only a portion of that day corresponding to
that percentage may be counted for the purposes of step 2.
[Schedule 1, item 3, subsection 61-670(2)]
39. If you are entitled to FTB Part A on a particular day and you have
a shared-care percentage under section 59 of the A New Tax System
(Family Assistance) Act 1999 for the child for a period that
includes that day and step 2 (as affected by the modification in
paragraph 1.38) applies to that day, only a portion of that day (or
only a portion of the portion referred to in paragraph 1.38)
corresponding to the shared-care percentage may be counted for the
purposes of step 2. [Schedule 1, item 3, subsection 61-670(3)]
1. : Modification to the offset limit calculation for shared-care
determinations
A blended family consists of Robert and Rebecca and two
children, Sandy and Luke. Sandy is a child of a previous
relationship of Robert, and Luke is in the care of the
family for only some of the time.
A determination under section 28 of the A New Tax System
(Family Assistance) Act 1999 covers the whole of the income
year and gives Robert a percentage of 70 per cent of the FTB
for the children and Rebecca a percentage of 30 per cent.
Section 59 of that Act also covers both Robert and Rebecca
for the whole of the income year and gives each a percentage
of 35 per cent of the FTB for Luke.
Robert works out his offset limit as follows.
For Sandy who is in full-time secondary schooling throughout
the income year, the result of step 1 of the method
statement in accordance with subsection 61-660(1) is $750.
Under step 2 and subsection 61-670(2), Robert counts a
portion of each day in the income year that corresponds to
the percentage of FTB he is entitled to for Sandy on that
day. That is, 70 per cent (the section 28 percentage). This
is equivalent to 255.5 days out of 365 days in the income
year. Under step 3 Robert divides the amount of 255.5 days
by the number of days in the current year, which is
365 days. The result is 0.70. This amount is multiplied by
$750 (the result from step 1 for Sandy). The overall result
is that Robert's offset limit for Sandy is $525.
Next, for Luke who is in full-time primary schooling
throughout the income year, the result of step 1 of the
method statement is $375.
Under step 2 and subsections 61-670(2) and (3), Robert again
counts a portion of each day in the income year that
corresponds to the percentage of FTB he is entitled to for
Luke on that day. That is, 70 per cent (the section 28
percentage), multiplied by 35 per cent (the section 59
percentage). The result is 24.5 per cent. This is
equivalent to 89.425 days out of 365 days in the income
year. Under step 3 Robert divides the amount of 89.425 days
by the number of days in the current year, which is 365
days. The result is rounded to 0.25. This amount is
multiplied by $375 (the result from step 1 for Luke). The
overall result is that Robert's offset limit for Luke is
rounded to $94.
Robert sums the result of applying the method statement for
each child ($525 + $94) to get his offset limit for the
income year ($619).
Rebecca works out her offset limit in the same way. For
Sandy, Rebecca works out $225 under the method statement
($750 × 0.30). For Luke, Rebecca works out $40 ($375 ×
0.11). The offset limit for Rebecca is $267 ($225 + $42).
Modification to step 2 for members of a couple
40. Specific conditions (outlined in paragraph 1.41) will modify step 2
of the basic method if:
. a taxpayer, on a particular day, is a 'member of a couple'
(within the meaning of the Social Security Act 1991) and
both the individual and their partner are entitled to the
tax offset because they care for one or more children and
they, or the child, is in receipt of certain payments that
preclude the child from being an FTB child. These
payments include prescribed educational scheme payments, a
social security benefit or pension, or a payment under a
program included in the programs known as Labour Market
Programs; or
. a taxpayer is a 'member of a couple' on a particular day
and on that day the individual and their partner has one
or more children who ceased full-time schooling and the
child would have been their FTB child but for the fact
that the child has an income for the year above the child
income test limit as described in paragraph 1.15.
[Schedule 1, item 3, subsection 61-670(4)]
41. These conditions are:
. if the individual and their partner have made a written
agreement nominating one of them as the member who can
claim the tax offset in respect of one or more children
then the nominated member may, subject to the modification
described in paragraph 1.44, count the whole of each day
in the period for each such individual; and the other
member must not count any days in the period for each such
individual [Schedule 1, item 3, paragraph 61-670(4)(d)];
or
. if no written agreement nominating one of the members of
the couple as the member who can claim the tax offset for
one or more children for that period then each member may
only count half of each day in the period subject to
modifications described in paragraph 1.44 [Schedule 1,
item 3, paragraph 61-670(4)(e)].
Modifications for individuals not members of a couple
42. An individual who, on a particular day they and one or more other
individuals (other than their partner (within the meaning of the
Social Security Act 1991)) is entitled to the tax offset because
they care for a child and they or the child is in receipt of
certain payments that preclude the child from being an FTB child
needs to consider certain other conditions when calculating step 2
(specified in paragraph 1.44). [Schedule 1, item 3, subsections 61-
670(5) and (6)]
43. Similarly, where a child ceased full-time schooling and has an
income for the year above the child income test limit (described in
paragraph 1.15), certain conditions would need to be considered
when calculating step 2 (below), where the claimant also shares the
care of the child with one or more individuals (other than their
partner). [Schedule 1, item 3, subsections 61-670(5) and (6)]
44. These conditions mean that the individual may only count a portion
of the day (or a portion of the portion worked out in
paragraph 1.41 for that child) that is reasonable having regard to
the extent to which the child was in their care on a day and the
living arrangements of the child. The individual must also have
regard to preventing double counting in distributing the tax offset
between themselves and others who share the care of the child.
[Schedule 1, item 3, subsections 61-670(5) and (6)]
Application and transitional provisions
45. The amendments made by this Bill apply to assessments for the 2008-
09 income year and later years. [Schedule 1, item 10]
Consequential amendments
Amendments to the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997
46. Section 13-1 of the ITAA 1997 is a non-operative index of tax
offsets. This section is amended to include a reference to the
education expenses tax offset. [Schedule 1, item 2, section 13-1]
47. Section 67-25 of the ITAA 1997, is the operative provision that
identifies which tax offsets are subject to the refundable tax
offset rules. It is amended to include the education expenses tax
offset. [Schedule 1, item 4, section 67-25]
48. Section 960-265 of the ITAA 1997 is a non-operative index of
amounts that are subject to indexation. It is amended to include a
reference to the education expenses tax offset limits. [Schedule
1, item 5, section 960-265]
Amendments to the Taxation Administration Act 1953
49. This Bill also amends sections 45-340 and 45-375 of Schedule 1 to
the Taxation Administration Act 1953 (TAA 1953), which deal with
pay as you go (PAYG) instalments. The amendments ensure that a
person's entitlement to the tax offset is not taken into account in
calculating PAYG instalments. To achieve this, the tax offset will
be disregarded in determining the 'adjusted tax' on 'adjusted
taxable income' or on 'adjusted withholding income', and it will be
disregarded in determining the 'adjusted assessed tax' on 'adjusted
assessed taxable income'. [Schedule 1, items 8 and 9, sections 45-
340 and 45-375 of Schedule 1 to the TAA 1953]
50. This amendment is made because it cannot reasonably be assumed that
a taxpayer who receives a certain amount of the tax offset in one-
year will have the same entitlement to the tax offset in the next
year. PAYG instalment calculations or variations which take the
offset amount from an earlier year into account would not
necessarily be an accurate reflection of tax liability for the
current year and might result in an over- or an under-payment of
instalments.
Amendments to the A New Tax System (Family Assistance) (Administration) Act
1999
51. The Secretary of the Department of Families, Housing, Community
Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA Secretary) may provide the
Commissioner of Taxation (Commissioner) with relevant information
about people, including their tax file numbers (TFNs), which has
been acquired by an officer under the family assistance law and
which is relevant to the administration of the education expenses
tax offset. The information (including TFNs) given to the
Commissioner may only be used for purposes relating to the
education expenses tax offset. [Schedule 1, item 1, section 169B
of the A New Tax System (Family Assistance) (Administration) Act
1999]
52. This amendment does not limit the powers of the FaHCSIA Secretary
to disclose information under section 168 of the A New Tax System
(Family Assistance) (Administration) Act 1999. [Schedule 1, item
1, subsection 169B(3) of the A New Tax System (Family Assistance)
(Administration) Act 1999]
53. Section 164 of the A New Tax System (Family Assistance)
(Administration) Act 1999 prohibits the unauthorised use of
protected information. The inclusion of section 169B authorises
the FaHCSIA Secretary to provide relevant information for the
purposes of the administration of the education expenses tax
offset.
Amendments to the Social Security (Administration) Act 1999
54. The FaHCSIA Secretary and the Secretary of the Department of
Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR Secretary) may
provide the Commissioner with relevant information about people,
including their TFNs, which has been acquired by an officer under
the social security law and which is relevant to the administration
of the education expenses tax offset. The information (including
TFNs) given to the Commissioner may only be used for purposes
relating to the education expenses tax offset. [Schedule 1, item
6, section 208A of the Social Security (Administration) Act 1999]
55. This amendment does not limit the powers of the FaHCSIA Secretary
and the DEEWR Secretary to disclose information under section 208
of the Social Security (Administration) Act 1999. [Schedule 1,
item 6, subsection 208A(3) of the Social Security (Administration)
Act 1999]
56. Section 204 of the Social Security (Administration) Act 1999
prohibits the unauthorised use of protected information. The
inclusion of section 208A authorises the FaHCSIA Secretary and the
DEEWR Secretary to provide relevant information for the purposes of
the administration of the education expenses tax offset.
Amendments to the Student Assistance Act 1973
57. The DEEWR Secretary may provide the Commissioner with relevant
information about people, including their TFNs, which has been
acquired by an officer under the Student Assistance Act 1973 and
which is relevant to the administration of the education expenses
tax offset. The information (including TFNs) given to the
Commissioner may only be used for purposes relating to the
education expenses tax offset. [Schedule 1, item 7, section 356A
of the Student Assistance Act 1973]
58. This amendment does not limit the powers of the DEEWR Secretary to
disclose information under section 355 of the Student Assistance
Act 1973. [Schedule 1, item 7, subsection 356A(3) of the
Student Assistance Act 1973]
59. Section 353 of the Student Assistance Act 1973 prohibits the
unauthorised use of protected information. The inclusion of
section 356A authorises the DEEWR Secretary to provide relevant
information for the purposes of the administration of the education
expenses tax offset.
Index
Schedule 1: Education expenses tax offset
|Bill reference |Paragraph |
| |number |
|Item 1, section 169B of the A New Tax System |1.51 |
|(Family Assistance) (Administration) Act 1999| |
|Item 1, subsection 169B(3) of the A New Tax |1.52 |
|System (Family Assistance) (Administration) | |
|Act 1999 | |
|Item 2, section 13-1 |1.46 |
|Item 3, Subdivision 61-M |1.8 |
|Item 3, section 61-610 |1.9 |
|Item 3, subsection 61-610(2) |1.12, 1.13 |
|Item 3, subsection 61-620(1) |1.10 |
|Item 3, subsection 61-620(2) |1.11, |
|Item 3, subsection 61-620(3) |1.14 |
|Item 3, subsection 61-620(4) |1.15 |
|Item 3, section 61-630 |1.16, 1.17 |
|Item 3, subsection 61-640(1) |1.18 |
|Item 3, paragraphs 61-640(2)(a) and (b) |1.23 |
|Item 3, paragraphs 61-640(2)(c) and |1.24 |
|61-640(3)(a) | |
|Item 3, paragraph 61-640(3)(b) |1.25 |
|Item 3, subsection 61-640(4) |1.19 |
|Item 3, subsection 61-650(1) |1.27 |
|Item 3, subsection 61-650(2) |1.30, 1.31 |
|Item 3, subsection 61-650(3) |1.31, 1.33 |
|Item 3, subsection 61-660(1) |1.34, 1.35 |
|Item 3, paragraph 61-660(1)(a) |1.26 |
|Item 3, subsection 61-660(2) |1.36 |
|Item 3, section 61-670 |1.37 |
|Item 3, subsection 61-670(2) |1.38 |
|Item 3, subsection 61-670(3) |1.39 |
|Item 3, subsection 61-670(4) |1.40 |
|Item 3, paragraph 61-670(4)(d) |1.41 |
|Item 3, paragraph 61-670(4)(e) |1.41 |
|Item 3, subsections 61-670(5) and (6) |1.42, 1.43, |
| |1.44 |
|Item 3, section 61-680 |1.28 |
|Item 3, subsection 61-680(2) |1.29 |
|Item 4, section 67-25 |1.47 |
|Item 5, section 960-265 |1.48 |
|Item 6, section 208A of the Social Security |1.54 |
|(Administration) Act 1999 | |
|Item 6, subsection 208A(3) of the Social |1.55 |
|Security (Administration) Act 1999 | |
|Item 7, section 356A of the Student |1.57 |
|Assistance Act 1973 | |
|Item 7, subsection 356A(3) of the Student |1.58 |
|Assistance Act 1973 | |
|Items 8 and 9, sections 45-340 and 45-375 of |1.49 |
|Schedule 1 to the TAA 1953 | |
|Item 10 |1.45 |