The Guides to Social Policy Law is a collection of publications designed to assist decision makers administering social policy law. The information contained in this publication is intended only as a guide to relevant legislation/policy. The information is accurate as at the date listed at the bottom of the page, but may be subject to change. To discuss individual circumstances please contact Services Australia.

1.1.T.26 Tax free pensions or benefits

Usage

Tax free pensions and benefits are included in the parental income test from 1 July 2017. More information is at 4.2.8.10.

Definition

The following payments are tax free pensions or benefits that are included for the parental income test:

  • DSP where the individual is under 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 individual is below age pension age
  • DVA Disability Compensation Payment, 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
  • 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 stillborn baby payment (SBP) income test, a lump sum is only deemed to be income if received in the relevant 6-month income test period. For further details on how the income test period is defined for the SBP see FA Guide 4.15.1.

Tax-free pensions or benefits do not include bereavement payment, PhA, RA, LLNS or RAA.

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

Act reference: SSAct section 1067G-F10(da) Combined parental income

FAAct Schedule 3 clause 7 Tax free pension or benefit

Last reviewed: