What payment choices do I have?
Family Tax Benefit
If you are entitled to Family Tax Benefit, you can claim your payment through the Family Assistance Office as:- fortnightly payments; or
- receive a lump sum payment after the end of the financial year; or
- a combination of fortnightly payments throughout the year and a lump sum payment after the financial year; or
- a lump sum payment after the end of the financial year or;
- as reduced tax instalment deductions withheld from wages paid to you or your partner
Child Care Benefit
If you are entitled to Child Care Benefit for approved care, you can claim your assistance through the Family Assistance Office as:- Reduced fees-your Child Care Benefit will be paid directly to your child care service, who will pass it to you in the form of fee reductions so you pay less in fees (you will have to pay any 'gap' in outstanding fees) or
- lump sum-you will pay full child care fees to your child care service during the year, and after the end of the income year you may make a claim for Child Care Benefit as a lump sum.
Please Note: You must claim Child Care Benefit as reduced fees if you want to receive your Child Care Rebate as a quarterly payment even if you are assessed at the zero rate of Child Care Benefit. If you choose to receive your Child Care Benefit as a lump sum payment, any Child Care Rebate will also be paid as a lump sum at the end of that year. You can change how you receive your Child Care Rebate (i.e. quarterly to annually) at any time by contacting the Family Assistance Office on 13 6150.
If you are using registered care you can claim Child Care Benefit by taking your child care receipts to the Family Assistance Office and completing the Claim for Child Care Benefit for registered care form (FA018). You can claim Child Care Benefit for registered care at any time during the year, but you must claim within 12 months of the care being provided. It is important to note that you cannot receive the Child Care Rebate for registered care.
Child Care Rebate
On 1 July 2009, the Child Care Tax Rebate was re-named the Child Care Rebate. The name change is in recognition that the rebate is no longer a tax offset under taxation legislation but is paid to families under the Family Assistance Law by the Family Assistance Office. There is no change to your eligibility or entitlements.Currently if you are entitled to the Child Care Rebate for approved care, you will receive your assistance through the Family Assistance Office. Your entitlements will be paid into your bank account after reconciliation of Child Care Benefit.
You can now receive your Child Care Rebate through the Family Assistance Office as:
- a quarterly payment - for families claiming Child Care Benefit as reduced fees or
- a lump sum payment at the end of the financial year - for families claiming Child Care Benefit as a lump sum
Child Care Benefit, Child Care Rebate, Jobs, Education and Training Child Care fee assistance, Rent Assistance, Baby Bonus and Maternity Immunisation Allowance are available only through the Family Assistance Office and cannot be paid through the tax system.
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