Australian Government Cash Handout

[Xangsamhua]

The Australian government recently agreed to grant an amount of money to taxpayers to help boost domestic spending. I think this grant has already been disbursed.

I didn't take much notice of it as I'm here in LOS. However, a family friend has said overseas Australians are eligible if they are taxpayers.

Does anyone in this forum know about the eligibility criteria or where further information may be obtained?

[fred2007]

yes you can get it as long you filled in a tax return for 2007-2008

[myauq]

yes you can get it as long you filled in a tax return for 2007-2008

what do you need to do to get it?

[Xangsamhua]

yes you can get it as long you filled in a tax return for 2007-2008

Thanks fred2007. Are the application forms available on the net?

[Thai Chi]

yes you can get it as long you filled in a tax return for 2007-2008

.......AND you meet the required criteria.....which is explained on the ATO website.

Edited June 10, 2009 by Thai Chi

[fred2007]

yes you can get it as long you filled in a tax return for 2007-2008

.......AND you meet the required criteria.....which is explained on the ATO website.

you are correct I never looked at the website since I am to long away and never filled in a tax return for a number of years

[Checker]

If you earned more thean $80,000 you will not be entitled to it . . . . . .

[Thai Chi]

yes you can get it as long you filled in a tax return for 2007-2008

Thanks fred2007. Are the application forms available on the net?

....I am pretty sure you do not have to apply for this "handout".

If you have an entitlement, it will be paid directly to you.

Have a look at the ATO website, which includes the following......

Am I eligible?

Your eligibility and the amount you are paid is based on your individual 2007-08 tax return.

You are eligible to receive the payment if:

your 2007-08 taxable income did not exceed $100,000

your adjusted tax liability for 2007-08 was greater than zero

you were an Australian resident for tax purposes during the 2007-08 financial year, and

you lodge your 2007-08 tax return by 30 June 2009 or by the deferred date granted to you by the Tax Office.

[Xangsamhua]

yes you can get it as long you filled in a tax return for 2007-2008

Thanks fred2007. Are the application forms available on the net?

....I am pretty sure you do not have to apply for this "handout".

If you have an entitlement, it will be paid directly to you.

Have a look at the ATO website, which includes the following......

Am I eligible?

Your eligibility and the amount you are paid is based on your individual 2007-08 tax return.

You are eligible to receive the payment if:

your 2007-08 taxable income did not exceed $100,000

your adjusted tax liability for 2007-08 was greater than zero

you were an Australian resident for tax purposes during the 2007-08 financial year, and

you lodge your 2007-08 tax return by 30 June 2009 or by the deferred date granted to you by the Tax Office.

Thank you. Yes, I've discovered that just submitting a tax return does not make you eligible unless you have a tax liability.

[samran]

super co-contribution on the other hand....has no residency test. Nor is your overseas income assessable as part of the means test.

Contribute $1000 to your super, the govt will match with $1500. Submit a tax return in Australia, and they do the rest.

Edited June 11, 2009 by samran

[tuky]

How much are they offering?

I haven't submitted a tax return since 1999 and going on the above criteria I am certainly not entitled to this handout.

However, one must consider the amount being offered vs becoming invloved with the ATO again.

If it is a palty sum then what would be the point?

[ozzydom]

How much are they offering?

I haven't submitted a tax return since 1999 and going on the above criteria I am certainly not entitled to this handout.

However, one must consider the amount being offered vs becoming invloved with the ATO again.

If it is a palty sum then what would be the point?

$900 I believe ,we poor old pensioners got $1400.

[Garry9999]

I think if you are still classed and an Australian resident and still submitting Australia tax returns, you are eligible to receive government bonuses and payments.

Non-Residents, not submitting tax returns - no chance.

[MiG16]

$900 I believe ,we poor old pensioners got $1400.

thats the maximum

those earning 80,000 or less a year get $900

those who earn between 80k to 90k get less

those earning between 90 to 100k get some amount too, but less than the first 2

(I forget the exact amount)

prior to that they gave out grants to:

pensioners and families

the idea is to get these 2 groups to spend the money

to me that logic is totally silly.

if you want people to spend 'bonus' money: give it to the single under 25, who have no long term financial commitment, and are savvy consumers. doesnt take an expert to work that one out. I really wonder who advised the Rudd government on that tactic.

seriously, how many 2 income earners with 3 children growing up and a 30 year mortgage are about to splurge their 'free' money?

or the 68 year old pensioner living by him/herself in an aged care facility?

i see it as more of a political gimmick targeted at their political supporters, rather than to do with achieving maximum stimulus to the economy.

(sorry somewhat off topic towards the end there)

[Old Croc]

How much are they offering?

I haven't submitted a tax return since 1999 and going on the above criteria I am certainly not entitled to this handout.

However, one must consider the amount being offered vs becoming invloved with the ATO again.

If it is a palty sum then what would be the point?

$900 I believe ,we poor old pensioners got $1400.

I got both, a total of $2,300.

[Old Croc]

$900 I believe ,we poor old pensioners got $1400.

thats the maximum

those earning 80,000 or less a year get $900

those who earn between 80k to 90k get less

those earning between 90 to 100k get some amount too, but less than the first 2

(I forget the exact amount)

prior to that they gave out grants to:

pensioners and families

the idea is to get these 2 groups to spend the money

to me that logic is totally silly.

if you want people to spend 'bonus' money: give it to the single under 25, who have no long term financial commitment, and are savvy consumers. doesnt take an expert to work that one out. I really wonder who advised the Rudd government on that tactic.

seriously, how many 2 income earners with 3 children growing up and a 30 year mortgage are about to splurge their 'free' money?

or the 68 year old pensioner living by him/herself in an aged care facility?

i see it as more of a political gimmick targeted at their political supporters, rather than to do with achieving maximum stimulus to the economy.

Interesting thoughts Mig.

Give the money to young wasters because they would, erm, waste the money, thus stimulating the economy.

After all anyone on a pension is in an aged care facility and unable to spend the money.

And people with kids and mortgages wouldn't spend the money either?!!!

Yes, don't give it to people who have paid taxes all their lives and some of whom are now trying to make ends meet on a pathetically low pension.

The two lots of stimulis money were dispensed by Centrelink (to pensioners) and by ATO (to all taxpayers)

How would you suggest the money be given out to people under 25? Perhaps Meyers could dispense it to anyone who produces proof of age, receipts of purchases of shoes, makeup and handbags, and a current stamp on the wrist from a trendy nightclub?

[david96]

Here is the ATO website for those interested.

http://www.ato.gov.au/corporate/content.as...p;page=1&H1

File your Australian 2007/2008 tax return by the 30th of June 2009 to be eligible.

You will need your TFN, and meet the criteria for the bonus payment.

Call the ATO on +61 1300 686 636 for more information.

[aussiejosh]

Yup, got mine 2 months or so ago. You need to have filed taxes last year, or be listed as a student on centrelink. There are a few other criteria but those are just 2.

[aussiejosh]

$900 I believe ,we poor old pensioners got $1400.

thats the maximum

those earning 80,000 or less a year get $900

those who earn between 80k to 90k get less

those earning between 90 to 100k get some amount too, but less than the first 2

(I forget the exact amount)

prior to that they gave out grants to:

pensioners and families

the idea is to get these 2 groups to spend the money

to me that logic is totally silly.

if you want people to spend 'bonus' money: give it to the single under 25, who have no long term financial commitment, and are savvy consumers. doesnt take an expert to work that one out. I really wonder who advised the Rudd government on that tactic.

seriously, how many 2 income earners with 3 children growing up and a 30 year mortgage are about to splurge their 'free' money?

or the 68 year old pensioner living by him/herself in an aged care facility?

i see it as more of a political gimmick targeted at their political supporters, rather than to do with achieving maximum stimulus to the economy.

(sorry somewhat off topic towards the end there)

Yup, agree. Should have given us allllll the money I'd have splurged it, hel_l i splurge constantly anyway.