How do I do this right?

[Krikkit]

Bubs is due on the 5th of May 2010

I haven't been working since the 19th of March - and didn't take maternity leave with pay, so have been living on DH's income 100%.

Now, I know that I will get baby bonus paid fortnightly, but do I qualify for FTB A & B or do I have to wait till the end of financial year to claim that? Do I need to know what my income YTD was (since I have left work) and should I be guesstimating DH's income?

As I will be post C-section DH's will be handling the finances temporarily - this scares the bejesus out of me cause I handle this stuff. So, I am trying to get full bottle on what happens with centrelink before I get him to do "fill out" anything.

[Neoma]

You can claim FTB before the end of the year, but you also have the option of claiming at the end of the financial year. You will need to give an estimate of what you and your husband's actual taxable income will be for the full financial year.

[BrightSparkles]

Bubs is due on the 5th of May 2010

I haven't been working since the 19th of March - and didn't take maternity leave with pay, so have been living on DH's income 100%.

Now, I know that I will get baby bonus paid fortnightly, but do I qualify for FTB A & B or do I have to wait till the end of financial year to claim that? Do I need to know what my income YTD was (since I have left work) and should I be guesstimating DH's income?

As I will be post C-section DH's will be handling the finances temporarily - this scares the bejesus out of me cause I handle this stuff. So, I am trying to get full bottle on what happens with centrelink before I get him to do "fill out" anything.

You can claim it part way through the year. Make sure you overestimate what your earnings will (combined) for the financial year - this way and under payments will be paid as a lump sum after you both submit tax returns for the financial year and you won't be hit with a bill. I think there is a claim form online that you can use.