Not understanding the Education Tax Refund

[mum3girls]

You can claim your whole internet costs, doesn't matter what it's used for. You should be able to get a statement from Optus so you can claim the $ that you spent with them as well. There's a list of the things you can claim on the ATO website, plus FAQ which are worthwhile checking out. If you do it over the phone, you don't need to send the receipts in unless they request them later on, so you've got a bit of time to collect those you don't have.

Did you keep the receipts from the school supplies you bought for this year (pencils, books, etc.)? That's claimable as well.

For my 2 school age kids, I claimed the whole $750 for one child on a new computer, then the other child had the remainder of the computer cost for hers, plus several months worth of internet costs to take it up to the $750 for her.

[Astrolady]

Oh I thought you could only claim part of the internet fees if it wasn't solely used for school use?.
As for the stationary, and books we dont buy it. It is all inclusive of the fees. Actually I will have to dig it out to see if it lists the cost of stationary etc independantely

[aussienic]

I am unsure about it as well.. Dh did his tax the other day and was told he can't claim it this year?? I am almost certain thats wrong. He is going to query it..

[mum3girls]

Straight from ATO website -

Q30: Is there any need for apportionment of computer and internet costs if they are not used exclusively for educational purposes?
For the purposes of claiming the Education Tax Refund, no apportionment of costs is necessary



Nic - Do you claim the FTB for your kids, or is it in hubby's name. The ETR must be claimed by the person who receives the FTB, maybe that's why your hubby can't claim it?

[Astrolady]

Ahhh see I didn't know what Apportionment meant. I even looked it up and still didn't understand LOL

[Astrolady]

Okay I have lodged it over the phone. I only ended up lodging for the 5mths with Adam, cause I really can't be stuffed with Optus as it may take them 6mths and they will probably charge me a fee to get the details.

Anyway I think I stuffed up our banking details with the phone lodgement. It sounded like she asked for account number so I did it and she repeated it back which was correct, then she asked for the financial institution account number and I am sitting there thinking well what did you ask for first then LOL. So I'll probably end up with a cheque rofl.

I found Kam's school fee's and stationary was listed seperately on his school fees yay, so I claimed that but Lachlan's didn't have it all listed seperately. Was just a lump sum

[aussienic]

I claim both.. I don't know what you mean about him claiming it??

the Centrelink accounts are in my name and he is down as my partner?

[Astrolady]

Yep only you can claim it then Nic. You can't put it through on your DH's tax, even though he is your partner.

[aussienic]

Ok no worries.. I am on the ATO website now having a read