School Kids Bonus - Did you receive your payment?

So its February and school is back! (Yipee). With much anticipation and excitement my son has started Reception this year. Along with this has come the many purchases that I will have to make for the next 13 or so years.... School shoes, uniform, sports clothes, a hat, a backpack that's almost the same size as him and the list could go on!

Did you know about the Schoolkids bonus payments that were paid in January to help eligible families with education costs? The Schoolkids bonus replaces the Education Tax Refund. The Education Tax Refund was claimed when you lodged your tax return and you had to keep all your receipts.

Now, the School Kids Bonus is a payment of $410 a year for each primary student, paid in two instalments of $205 in January and July and $820 a year for each secondary student, paid in two instalments of $410.

To be eligible, you need to be receiving Family Tax Benefit A. There is a table from the Australian Government website which shows the maximum income your family can earn before the Family Tax Benefit A stops at the bottom of the below web page.

http://www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/enablers/centrelink/family-tax-benefit-part-a-part-b/ftb-a-income-test

FTB A eligibility depends on the number of kids, the age of kids as well as your combined income.

The website also encourages people to contact the government for a more accurate assessment as to FTB A eligibility and that income limits are indicative only.

So, if you didn't received any School Kids Bonus from the Government in your bank account in January than I would highly encourage you to double check your eligibility as every cent counts!

For more information go to australia.gov.au/schoolkidsbonus or call 132 468.

Goodluck to all the school kids!

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