Centrelink & Deployments

[sharvs]

Just a quickie...

DF is being deployed for 6 months in August, whilst he is away his pay is tax free. I am totally new to Centrelink & Family Allowance & have no idea how it works. At the beginning of the finiancial year, I'll have to tell them what DF's income will be. Because he is away for 6 months, & that 6 months is Tax free does that mean his taxable income is halved?

Hope it makes sense...... I'm getting myself confused thinking about it.

[Tiggerbaby]

Hi sharvs,

Look I'm no expert but perhaps if you make an appointment or phone with the FAO and explain what is going on they may be able to point you in the right direction. What we did is overestimate DH income then if it is less than our estimate we will get a rebate at the end of financial year.

I hope that this helps and that you and your family are doing well.

[shed]

Don't you just state his gross income anyway? And whether its taxed or not taxed is neither here nor there since its still his gross income?

Or is it net earnings?

If he is getting tax-free pay for doing what he is doing then it doesn't seem fair for you to be penalised for it elsewhere does it?

[sugar n spice]

From what i understand is that if you or your dp earns an income overseas you need to claim what they will be earning = to $aus. If he isnt taxed then hey you will prob get a nice back pay at tax time next year but i feel it is better to be safe then sorry, much nicer to be back payed rather than having to pay back money

[sharvs]

From what I have read, it is assessed on his taxable income so I should only have to declare what he will be earning for the 6 months he is in Australia, but I think I will just declare his normal income & play it safe - getting a nice rebate at the end of the year would be better than having to pay money back

[bearsmummy]

hi sharon, my DH went away on deployment in 2003. you only have to declare his taxable in come therefore dont include that income :)
just be careful though as i had centerlink come to me whilst he was away and say they owed me extra and i was sure that i didnt. they then looked into it and said yes i was.... so happily i took the $$$$. well a few months later wasnt i surprised when i got a letter in the mail saying i wasnt and i had to pay it back!!!! :shame:
good luck though with ur man away :yes:

[mummyof5]

Hi Sharvs,
The best thing to do is to estimate your usual income (what DP would normally earn if he were getting payed without being in a tax free zone), then at tax time at the end of the financial year, his group certificate will show how many days he was entitled to tax free pay and your acountant/tax dude will claim accordingly. You should get a lovely amount back from them (all things being equal), and a top up from centrelink as his income will be less than you estimated.
Once he hits the operational area, his pay will start looking very healthy indeed,so enjoy some extra spending!!:yelclap:
Hope this helps. The six months probably seem insurmountable now, but they do go very quickly. Hope yours do...:)
Kylie.

[sharvs]

Once he hits the operational area, his pay will start looking very healthy indeed,so enjoy some extra spending!!:yelclap:
Hope this helps. The six months probably seem insurmountable now, but they do go very quickly. Hope yours do...:)
Kylie.

I know there is more to life than money & I would much rather have him here, but when it is going to happen regardless, you have to focus on the positives - THE $$$$$$!!! If he is leaving me for 10 months, I'll just have to spend my lonely days at the shopping centre! Thanks for your help guys, much appreciated.