Changes in the Tax system have resulted in many people losing part of the 30% Rebate on Private Medical Insurance premiums.
Those singles with an income of over $84,000 in the 2012-13 tax year, are now only eligible for up to a 20% rebate on those premiums.
The problem is appearing as people do their tax returns for the last year, and end up getting a charge for the extra amount that they have been rebated on their premiums.
Simplified Example 1:
Annual Health Insurance Premium is $1,000
Annual Income $84,000 or less. Single person.
Rebate received before paying premium is 30% or $300
Net premium paid is $700
The above is correct if your assessed income is $84,000 or less for a single person, or $168,000 per year for families.
If your assessable income is higher than these figures, then you have received too high a rebate, and need to pay it back.
Simplified Example 2:
Annual Health Insurance Premium is $1,000
Annual Income $85,000. Single person.
Rebate received before paying premium is 30% or $300
Net premium paid is $700
Due to income exceeding the first threshold, the rebate is only 20%, or $200. Therefore you have received $100 rebate too much, and need to repay it through the tax return.
Simplified Example 3:
Annual Health Insurance Premium is $1,000
Annual Income $98,000. Single person.
Rebate received before paying premium is 30% or $300
Net premium paid is $700
Due to income exceeding the second threshold, the rebate is only 10%, or $100. Therefore you have received $200 rebate too much, and need to repay it through the tax return.
Rebates applicable for each income threshold are:
Single Person under 65
30% rebate $84,000 or less
20% rebate $84,001 – $97,000
10% rebate $97,001 – $130,000
00% rebate $130,001 or more
Family Income
30% rebate $168,000 or less
20% rebate $168,001 – $194,000
10% rebate $194,001 – $260,000
00% rebate $260,001 or more
Different rates apply to people over 65 years.
More at: www.ato.gov.au