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Originally posted Fri Nov 28 2008, 07:29PM

The Education Tax Refund (ETR) has now been passed by the Australian Parliament (November 27, 2008)

Under this new ETR, families who are able to claim Family Tax benefit part A, will be able to claim part of the education related costs of their children.

The basic rule will be that they can claim 50% of an annual expenditure limit.

The initial annual limit will be:
Primary School children - $750 per year, allowing a maximum claim of $375
Secondary School children - $1,500 per year, allowing a maximum claim of $750

Any excess expenditure can be rolled over to the next tax year.

The following are the allowable expenditure items quoted in the original bill.

Computer for:
(a) home use (including, in the case of an individual who has no home, use in a setting that equates to a residential setting for the person); or
(b) use in an educational institution in place of paper based educational material
(a) cost of acquiring (whether by way of purchase, lease, hire or hire purchase); and
(b) cost of repairing; and
(c) costs associated with running.

Computer related equipment for a use referred to in item 1, including:
(a) printers; and
(b) disability aids
(a) cost of acquiring (whether by way of purchase, lease, hire or hire purchase); and
(b) cost of repairing; and
(c) costs associated with running.

Home internet connection
(a) cost of establishing; and
(b) cost of maintaining.

Item of computer software
cost of acquiring (whether by way of purchase, lease, hire or hire purchase).

School textbooks, other paper based school learning material and stationery
cost of acquiring (whether by way of purchase, lease, hire or hire purchase).

You can claim the ETR even if you are not required to lodge a tax return.

http://origin-www.educationtaxrefund.gov.au/am-i-eligible/#CareForChild