This event, part of the Bi-Monthly series, discussed reforms on income tests and was aimed at all tax professionals with clients claiming, or interested in claiming, particular Government means-tested benefits and subsidies.
The event also included a tax update.
An individual's eligibility for many Government assistance programs is primarily determined by the use of income tests. From 1 July 2009, new legislation will take effect to enhance fairness in the application of the income tests and to better ensure that Government assistance is targeted to those most in need. The new measures also remove inconsistencies in the treatment of non wage remuneration and ensure net losses from investment activities are better accounted for in the income tests, as well as aligning the definition of income for dependency tax offsets with that which applies for family assistance payments.