Yahoo Finance Tax break granted for bushfire victims
Australians receiving disaster relief payments will receive a tax break on those payments following pressure from former prime ministers and social media.
Related story: Lessons from Black Saturday: What happens now?
Related story: Bushfire scams: Here’s what you need to watch out for
Related story: Good news: How people around the world are donating to bushfire victims
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg on Wednesday announced the Disaster Recovery Allowance, and payments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements that would have otherwise been taxable, like grants to small businesses, will now be exempt from tax.
Frydenberg said the legislation to bring these changes into effect will be introduced in the next sitting of Parliament on 4 February.
It comes after former prime minister and Labor leader, Kevin Rudd, called for the allowance to be exempted from tax around the country.
Social media users also criticised the tax.
The Disaster Recovery Allowance is taxable. Give with one hand. Take away with the other. Shameless @ScottMorrisonMP @JoshFrydenberg #auspol #Australiabushfire https://t.co/8MK7t1YzVB
— Kate Denning ⚖️ (@denning_kate) January 7, 2020
The allowance, which is equal to the controversial Newstart payment, is open to those older than 16 who are Australian residents or holding an eligible visa.
The maximum Newstart fortnightly payment for a single person with no children is $559.
They also must have lost income as a direct result of the fires, and must have been earning less than the fortnightly income threshold.
Additionally, those already receiving an income support payment, parental leave pay or dad and partner pay, ABSTUDY living allowance, farm household allowance or a service pension from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, are not eligible for the support payment.
The announcement comes after the Morrison government revealed its $2 billion recovery fund.
Make your money work with Yahoo Finance’s daily newsletter. Sign up here and stay on top of the latest money, news and tech news.