PARENTS of school children are reminded to keep their receipts for deductible education expenses at tax time.
The Education Tax Refund provides parents with support for education expenses, with refunds of up to $409 and eligible expenses up to $818 per primary school student and refunds of $818 and eligible expenses up to $1636, per secondary school student.
Holt MP Anthony Byrne said it was important that parents were aware of potential savings, particularly with cost of living pressures for many working families.
“From 1 July this year (2011), the Government will also extend the Education Tax Refund to include school uniforms,” Mr Byrne said. “This means parents will be able to claim for school uniforms bought since 1 July 2011, provided receipts are kept.”
Mr Byrne recently met with Cranbourne parent Annette Neilson and her five children Georgia, Ross, Thomas, William and Daniel to discuss how she will be claiming the full amount of the refund this year.
Ms Neilson recently purchased school uniforms for her kids and computer equipment for her son in Year 12.
She encouraged fellow parents to keep their receipts, in order to maximise the benefit.
Eligibility for the Education Tax Refund includes, receiving Family Tax benefit Part A for a child in primary or secondary school or a payment made for your child that prevented you from receiving Family Tax benefit Part A for them, such as Youth Allowance.
For more information about eligibility for the Education Tax Refund visit the website at www.educationtaxrefund.gov.au or call 13 28 61.
