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今天帮朋友看移民信息的时候无意中看了下family assistant 的网站，里面提到baby bonus的政策的修改。特地贴上来跟大家分享 Changes to Baby Bonus from 1 January 2009 On 1 January 2009 a number of changes to the Baby Bonus will come into effect. These changes apply to children who are born or who enter care on or after 1 January 2009. Changes relate to: * The introduction of a Family Income Test * Applying for the Baby Bonus * Period of care requirements * Instalment Payments * Adoption Family Income Test From 1 January 2009 a family income test will apply to the Baby Bonus if your child was born or entered your care on or after 1 January 2009. To be eligible for the Baby Bonus, your family must have a combined Adjusted Taxable Income of $75,000 or less in the six months following the birth of your child or the child entering your care. The following types of income need to be included in your income estimate for the six month period following the birth of your child or the child entering your care: * Taxable income - this is your gross income less allowable deductions (if you receive or have received a taxable government pension or benefit you will need to include this amount in your taxable income estimate); and * Employer provided or reportable fringe benefits; and * The value of net rental property losses or gains; and * The value of certain tax free pensions or benefits; and * Target foreign income, LESS * The full amount of any child support you and/or your partner pay. To claim the Baby Bonus you will need to advise us of your estimated Adjusted Taxable Income for the six month period after the birth of your child or the child entering your care. You may be asked for evidence when you claim such as: * payslips * a statement of leave arrangements and/or entitlements * a letter from an employer on letterhead * a recent tax return. If you are already receiving payments, you may have your estimate checked against existing information, such as your Family Tax Benefit estimate or income support information. Applying for the Baby Bonus Another change that will apply for children born or who enter care from 1 January 2009 is that you will have 52 weeks to lodge a claim from the date of birth of your child or, in the case of adoptions, from the date the child enters your care. The extension of the claim period, from 26 weeks to 52 weeks, will give you time to determine a reasonable income estimate for the six months following the birth of your child or the child entering your care. If you are uncertain about your income, the extended claim period will also give you time to test or re-test your eligibility. For example, if you lodged an estimate of income shortly after your child's birth for more than $75,000 (over the six month period after the birth) and your income turned out to be less than you estimated, you could reapply at a later time during the 52 week claim period. Period of care If you are a non-parent carer, you must have taken care of the child within 26 weeks from the date of birth and be likely to continue to have the care of the child for no less than 26 weeks. This has changed from 13 weeks and applies to children who enter your care on or after 1 January 2009. Instalment Payments Another change is the way the Baby Bonus is paid. Currently, the Baby Bonus may be paid as a lump sum. To assist parents and carers with the ongoing costs of a new child over a six month period the Baby Bonus will be paid in 13 fortnightly instalments for children who are born or enter the care of an adoptive parent on or after 1 January 2009. Where the care of the child has changed during the 26 week period after the child's birth and you are entitled to a portion of the Baby Bonus, you may receive your portion of the Baby Bonus in fewer than 13 instalments. Adoption From 1 January 2009, eligibility for the Baby Bonus will be extended to parents who adopt children under 16 years of age. This will apply to children who enter your care on or after 1 January 2009. Increasing the age limit of the Baby Bonus for adoptive children will assist parents with the cost of adopting a child and recognise that an adoptive parent may need to spend time out of the workforce to welcome and settle their child. This change also recognises that a large number of adopted children are aged over two years when they enter the care of their adoptive parents. |
