If you are eligible to claim family assistance payments for the 2014–15 financial year you must lodge your lump sum claim with the Department of Human Services (Centrelink) by 30 June 2016. Family assistance payments include family tax benefits, child care benefits and single income family supplements.
We encourage you to lodge a lump sum claim with Centrelink as soon as possible, even if you have not lodged your 2015 income tax return (ITR).
2015 income tax return due
Your 2015 ITR must be lodged by 30 June 2016. This is regardless of whether you currently receive your family assistance payments in instalments or as a lump sum at the end of the year. This is also required of your partner/spouse as their 2015 ITR is also due by this date.
If you believe your or your partner do not need to lodge an ITR for 2015, you should also advise this to Centrelink by 30 June 2016. Additionally, you also need to advise the ATO. As we act as your tax agent, the notification to the ATO can be lodged by us on your behalf, but notification to Centrelink must be actioned by you.
A delay in lodging the 2015 ITR or notifying Centrelink that a return is not necessary, even by one day, will result in your missing out on some or all of their family assistance payments for the 2014–15 financial year.
If you have any queries in relation to your eligibility to family assistance payments, please contact Centrelink on 13 61 50 in the first instance.
