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Claiming Family Tax Benefit A and B

Before you start

It will help to have the following information handy before you fill out your claim form for Family Tax Benefit:

• your family’s income detail—for Family Tax Benefit in instalments, combined estimates for the current financial year; for Family Tax Benefit for a past financial year, combined actual income for that year
• your passport number (if applicable)
• the date you first arrived in Australia if you were not born in Australia
• details of periods you or your child were outside Australia (if applicable)
• your partner’s residency details
• details about your child—name, date of birth, details of previous carer, details of shared-care arrangements, details of child support received, and proof of birth or entry into care (if not already established)
• your bank account details—the account must be in your name. A joint account is acceptable. It cannot be in a child’s name unless you are the signatory or trustee
• the tax file numbers for you and your partner

Payment options

The claim form you use depends on the payment option you choose.

Payment frequency

Fortnightly payments—you will need to lodge a Claim for Paid Parental Leave and Family Assistance form, estimate your income and later lodge tax returns and have the Australian Taxation Office confirm your income for you and your partner, or tell us that you are not required to lodge a return.

An annual payment—you will need to lodge a Claim for an annual lump-sum payment of Family Tax Benefit for the 2011–12 financial year form online or download a copy. Lodge tax returns and have the Australian Taxation Office confirm your income for you and your partner, or tell us that you are not required to lodge a return. You must keep accurate records when claiming Family Tax Benefit as a lump sum. You should keep records about changes to shared-care arrangements and changes in your personal circumstances.

For the previous financial year use the Claim for an annual lump-sum payment of Family Tax Benefit for the 2010–11 financial year form.

Claiming options

Online

Our online services are a secure, convenient and easy way to start a claim for Family Tax Benefit. Once you have completed your claim online, bring the supporting documents requested on the claim form to a service centre within 14 days.

In person

You can make a claim for Family Tax Benefit now by completing a Claim for Paid Parental Leave and Family Assistance form or a Claim for an annual lump-sum payment of Family Tax Benefit for the 2011–12 financial year form and bringing it to a service centre with your proof of identity and required supporting documents. We will need these documents before we can finalise your claim.

You can make a claim for a previous financial year by filling in a Claim for an annual lump-sum payment of Family Tax Benefit for the 2011–12 financial year , or download Claim for a lump-sum payment of Family Tax Benefit for the 2010–11 financial year and bringing it to a service centre with your proof of identity and required supporting documents.

If you do not have access to a printer, you can pick up the form from your nearest service centre or call us on 136 150 and we can send one to you.

Supporting documentation

You will need to provide proof of the birth of the child (if not already established), your income details, and any other documents we require with your claim.

Submit claim

You can claim Family Tax Benefit up to three months before your child is born or enters your care.

If you begin your claim online you will need to provide us with your supporting documentation within 14 days.

If you are claiming in-person, submit your Claim for Paid Parental Leave and Family Assistance form for fortnightly payments, or Claim for an annual lump-sum payment of Family Tax Benefit for the 2011–12 financial year form for an annual payment and supporting documentation to your nearest service centre. We will need these documents before we can finalise your claim.

Claim outcome

We will inform you whether your claim is successful. If you are eligible for Family Tax Benefit, we will tell you when your payment will start and how much you will get paid.

You always have the right to appeal any decision we make. Read more about reviews and appeals.