Media Release
(25k)12 November 2008
Families encouraged to lodge 2006-07 tax returns
Minister for Human Services, Senator Joe Ludwig, is urging families to lodge their 2006-07 tax returns now, or risk having to repay Family Tax Benefit they received for that year.
“There are still about 80,000 families who haven’t lodged their tax returns, more than 17 months after the end of the 2006-07 financial year,” Senator Ludwig said.
“The Australian Government provides extensive support to help families with the costs of raising children.”
“It’s important we ensure families receive their proper entitlement, and tax returns are essential to properly reconcile FTB, particularly for those families who use an estimate of income to determine their rate of FTB.”
“In April this year, the Family Assistance Office wrote to about 280,000 families who use estimates of income, to remind them they needed to lodge their tax returns for 2006-07.”
“As a result, about 200,000 families have either lodged their returns or advised the FAO that they aren’t required to lodge.”
From this week, the FAO is writing to the remaining 80,000 families to tell them their 2006-07 FTB has been cancelled and ask them to repay the total amount.
“After receiving the letter, families who lodge their tax returns or advise they aren’t required to lodge will have their FTB payments reinstated,” Senator Ludwig said.
“For those who don’t, the FAO will start recovering the debt.”
“This is an annual process conducted by the FAO to ensure families receive their proper entitlement. It does not currently affect ongoing access to FTB payments.”
For more information contact the FAO on 13 6150.
Media contacts
Sarah Cosson — 0423 823 843.
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