I am a smart person yet I cannot work out how to claim the child care rebate

[FabFiona]

Thanks for that. Reading your reply is leaving me with an overwhelming desire to scratch my eyes out. I will probably find that more enjoyable.

Do I have to do to that every quarter? oh my...

[thepixie]

No only once for each form - CCB, CCTR and the back pay form. After you have done it once it just keeps going. But as you can see I am still scarred and I did it a year ago (and the back pay form is continuing to languish on the dining room table unfinished).

[Bern]

i never filled any forms out... done it all over the phone. but that was almost 4 years ago... maybe its changed?

[Mum2SweetCs]

ehehhe thanks for the laugh girls.

I dont even know how i got the claim but i dont recall it being that hard (they probably changed it because it was too easy and not cryptic enough). My friend had problems and in the end she claimed for the wrong thing hheheh

[Tuesday's Child]

I too had a giggle reading your posts.

I'm just claiming it at the end of the financial year. It might not be any simpler but at least I don't have to worry about under/overestimating our income.

[Mum2Romone]

You can claim over the phone.... I just did it.

No forms, the lady just put in the verbal claim.....goodluck

[butterfly_warrior]

Playing messenger for BG again...

for CCR, you have to claim CCB - you have to meet the CCB eligibility (residence etc) for CCB to qualify for CCR. if you ONLY want to claim CCR, you can tick that on the application OR you can opt for any fee reduction to be paid at the end of the year, OR you can get CCB to reduce fees. If you are doing either of the first two options, you won't need to provide an income estimate - for the third, you will.
put in a claim for CCB, it automatically registers you for CCR. if your income estimate is too high for CCB OR you have decided not to claim til end of year, you will get a letter stating you are entitled to CCB at 0%. to qualify for CCR you must qualify for CCB AND meet the work/study/training test.

to claim:
if you are active on the system for FTB (claiming payment OR active but at a zero rate each fortnight) - you can do it over the phone or online
if you are NOT active on the system for FTB - you can do your claim online or paper claim

online is easier - if you answer a question where it requires more info, it tells you! paper claim is long, and you have to wade through it yourself

if you are claiming for a period more than 28 days in the past, you will need to do a lump sum claim at the end of the year as well as making yourself current on the system for NOW. the lump sum claim can again be done online or paper claim.

[Traveller]

I just made my claim over the phone. Very easy, and the woman was exceptionally helpful and patient (even though I asked about a million really stupid questions).