More than 630,000 families are being urged to lodge their outstanding tax returns so Centrelink can finalise their family assistance payments for the 2012-13 financial year.
Department of Human Services General Manager Hank Jongen today reminded families who missed the Australian Taxation Office’s (ATO) 31 October lodgement deadline to complete their tax returns, or tell Centrelink that they are not required to lodge.
“Even though the ATO deadline has passed, it’s important to finish your family’s tax quickly so Centrelink can reconcile your family assistance payments and pay any top-ups or supplements you may be entitled to,” Mr Jongen said.
“If you have a partner you both need to lodge a tax return, or tell us that you don’t need to lodge, before the reconciliation process can begin.
“It’s important that you do this before 30 June 2014 to ensure you receive your full entitlements, including the Family Tax Benefit supplements.
“Once your payments have been reconciled, you can use Online Services or the Express Plus mobile app for families to see how your rate of financial assistance is calculated.”
Mr Jongen said being able to see when your Family Tax Benefit (FTB) payments are reconciled is one of three new functions recently added to the popular app.
As well as being able to see whether payments have been reconciled and the outcome, families can also now tell Centrelink if they’re not required to lodge a tax return or lodge a claim for Child Care Benefit using the app,” Mr Jongen said.
Last financial year, families receiving financial assistance from Centrelink completed almost 17 million self-service actions with 2.7 million transactions being completed using Express Plus mobile apps.
The apps can also be used to update contact details, subscribe to and view online letters, view payments and transaction history and to capture and upload documents.
“I encourage all families receiving financial assistance to download the app so they can enjoy the convenience of the new features,” Mr Jongen said.
“It gives people the option to do their Centrelink business at a time and place that suits them, without having to wait on the phone or travel to a service centre.”
The Express Plus Families app is available for download from the App Store or Google Play.
To use the app you need to be registered for Centrelink Online Services. For more information go to humanservices.gov.au/families or call 136 150
Media contact: Paul Creedon, DHS Media, Ph: 0411 670 923