How to make sure you get the right amount

If you get Family Tax Benefit and/or Child Care Benefit as:

your family income estimate is used to work out your payment. After the end of the income year when you and/or your partner (if you have one) lodge your tax returns (if required), the amount you have been paid (based on your estimate) will be compared with your actual family income.

We realise that estimating your family's income may not be easy, especially if it is not regular, however there are payment options available to help you reduce your risk of being overpaid.

If you overestimate your family's income and are underpaid during the year, your Family Tax Benefit and Child Care Benefit will be topped up to your full entitlement after the end of the income year.

If your family's income is more than you estimated and you have been paid too much, you will have to repay any Family Tax Benefit and/or Child Care Benefit you shouldn't have been paid.
You may not need to provide an estimate of your family income if you choose to be paid your Family Tax Benefit as a lump sum payment.

Your Family Tax Benefit may also be affected by:
You should tell us of any changes to your work, personal circumstances, holidaying or moving overseas or other changes as soon as possible. If you don't tell us of changes you could be at risk of an overpayment. If you get an overpayment you will have to repay the amount you should not have received.

Note: You and your partner must either lodge a tax return or tell the Family Assistance Office that you are not required to lodge a tax return (the Australian Taxation Office can tell you whether you are required to lodge a tax return). If you do not do either of these things, any Family Tax Benefit you have received will become a debt and will have to be repaid.

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