Not understanding the Education Tax Refund

[bon]

dust - you can claim for anything you purchased after your child was enrolled - so you can still claim her book list and stationery. I think re the internet you have to choose one method or the other to claim it - so you can't claim it twice. You could ring the ATO or check their website to see if it gives more info about it.

[kylie71]

Hi all,

I found this thread via google as I've been sitting at the table for the last couple of hours trying to work out the 'Education tax refund instructions and claim' form.

I have 3 school age kids, 1 in High School and 2 in Primary School and have kept all related school expenses receipts. What I want to know is can I lodge this online or is it only via post and phone? I'm having trouble with worksheet 2. If I ring up and do it, is it pretty straight forward and how long will it take and how long until the money is in our bank account? It's just confusing saying "multiply (j) by (k) divide (m) by 2 etc.

Thanks in advance and I wait for a reply.

Kylie

[Astrolady]

Hi Kylie

It has to be done via phone or mail lodgement. Not online unfortunately. You need to know your figures before you ring up, and takes about 5 mins to do

[diannescruffy]

Hi Kylie,
I also have 1 in High School and 2 in Primary and I was able to claim the full amount of $1,500 which includes school fees and internet. I was told it would take 14 days and I claimed over the phone.

Regards,
Dianne

[kylie71]

Hi Kylie

It has to be done via phone or mail lodgement. Not online unfortunately. You need to know your figures before you ring up, and takes about 5 mins to do

Thanks for your reply. I think I will do it by phone, can't be that hard lol.

[diannescruffy]

Kylie just make sure you have your tax file number and the amount you wish to claim.

Regards,
Dianne

[kylie71]

Hi Kylie,
I also have 1 in High School and 2 in Primary and I was able to claim the full amount of $1,500 which includes school fees and internet. I was told it would take 14 days and I claimed over the phone.

Regards,
Dianne

Thanks, did they ask the amount you spent on each child or can you say "I have 3 kids and the total I spent was ........" If not I will have to work out 3 individual amounts.

God I will be glad when it's over lol

[diannescruffy]

It's all voice recorded so you actually don't get to speak to anyone and the amount is for the 3 children not individual.

Regards,
Dianne

[kylie71]

It's all voice recorded so you actually don't get to speak to anyone and the amount is for the 3 children not individual.

Regards,
Dianne

Thank you so much for that, very much appreciated.

[bon]

Yep all you do is basically tell the robot on the phone how much you are claiming - you don't need to itemise it or anything, you just need to keep all your receipts etc in case the tax office decide they want to check up on you.

[mbear]

I have claimed our internet and printer, even though at 6 years old, DS is still a bit young to use those things by himself. But it's an allowable expense, so we are entitled to claim it. As long as you have receipts, I wouldn't worry.

..this is wot i wana do....but i havent bought a printer yet.....if i buy one tomorrow say, can i still claim it ???/

[Trillian]

You can't claim it for this one, you will have to wait till the end of June next year.

[Visitor8]

I did mine over the phone today. It's so great that you can do it over the phone with a machine I hate filling out forms and talking to real people who just annoy me lol

Dianne, You CANT claim school fees. It says on the ATO website.

[dust]

dust - you can claim for anything you purchased after your child was enrolled - so you can still claim her book list and stationery. I think re the internet you have to choose one method or the other to claim it - so you can't claim it twice. You could ring the ATO or check their website to see if it gives more info about it.

thanks!!! im aware u can't claim twice (would seem very odd)...a total brain fart on my behalf!

[~CrazyMumOf3~]

DF was told last night by his account that when claiming the ETR you CANT claim internet for primary school children until they are in grade 3 - anyone else heard this???

[mbear]

you CANT claim internet for primary school children until they are in grade 3 - anyone else heard this???

...ohhh dont tell me that. I did ours today...our DD is in kindergarten....anyone else heard this ?????

[Visitor7]

Am I eligible?

You are eligible to claim an Education Tax Refund (ETR) for the period 1 July 2008 to 30 June 2009 if:

• you had eligible education expenses for a child, and
• the child was in primary or secondary school, and
• you received family tax benefit (FTB) Part A for the child, or
• a payment was made for the child that stopped you from receiving FTB Part A for that child, or
• your child stopped full-time school during the year and received sufficient income to stop you receiving FTB Part A.

Education Tax Refund - what you need to know

[Astrolady]

Doesn't say on any official site about Children having to been in a certain grade to claim stuff.