3.2.6 Tax Free Pensions or Benefits

Tax free pensions or benefits included in ATI

Even though a recipient and/or their partner (1.1.P.30) may not pay taxes on some types of pensions or benefits, these amounts are included as part of their ATI (1.1.A.20) for FTB, CCB and baby bonus income test purposes.

Act reference: FAAct Schedule 3 clause 2 Adjusted taxable income - Adjusted taxable income

Tax free pensions or benefits

The following payments are tax free pensions or benefits that are included for the purposes of calculating ATI for an income year for FTB and CCB purposes and for calculating ATI for the relevant 6-month income test period following the birth of a child or the date the child was entrusted to care for baby bonus purposes.

DSP where the recipient is under age pension age,
WP where both the recipient and partner are below age pension age,
CP where both the carer and the person being cared for are under age pension age,
DVA invalidity service pension where the recipient is below age pension age,
DVA disability pension, war widow's and war widower's pension,
DVA service pension and partner service pension where both partners are under age pension age and the veteran receives an invalidity service pension at the time of death,
DVA income support supplement paid on the grounds of invalidity if the person is under age pension age,
DVA DFISA, where DFISA is exempt from income tax,
Special Rate Disability Pension safety net payment (SRDP) paid by the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission,
compensation for permanent impairment paid by the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission,
additional compensation for impairment from another service injury or disease paid by the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission,
interim compensation paid by the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission while waiting for compensation payment for permanent impairment or additional compensation payment for impairment from another service injury or disease, and
compensation for eligible widow partner paid by the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission.

Note: The payments made by the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission can be paid as fortnightly instalments or as a lump sum. Lump sums are deemed to be income only in the tax year they are received. For the baby bonus income test, a lump sum is only deemed to be income if received in the relevant 6-month income test period following the birth of a child or the date the child was entrusted to care. For further details on how the income test period is defined see 4.5.1.

Tax-free pensions or benefits do not include bereavement payment, PhA, RA, Language, Literacy and Numeracy Supplement or RAA.

Payments not included in this topic are not tax free pensions or benefits for the purposes of calculating ATI.

Act reference: FAAct Schedule 3 clause 7 Adjusted taxable income - Tax free pension or benefit

Policy reference: FA Guide 1.1.D.65 Defence Force Income Support Allowance, 2.4.1 Eligibility for Baby Bonus

SS Guide 5.3.1.10 Taxation of Payments & PAYG Payment Summary - Individual Non-Business

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Last reviewed: 11 August 2011

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