We use to always end up with a centrelink debt before because we always underestimated the amount we earned, especially when my husband worked odd overtime hours so it was hard to estimate the exact amount. We werent able to pay the debt in full straight away so we chose to have it deducted a certain amount from our family assistance payment each fortnight which took us a while to pay off, so come tax time again the extra family assistance payment we could of got went straight to the debt automatically from the tax office. Eventually my hubby was able to get a steady pay so we were able to overestimate what we got to avoid a debt. So it was finally good to get a lump sum payment from the family assistance once we both filed our tax return (it didnt matter if you file it together or separate) as long as the tax office got a return from both of yous then that send the info to Centrelink who works out your payments. Last year i didnt have to file a tax return but i still had to let centrelink know that as the tax office dont tell them that. Once centrelink knows then they will work out your extra payment you can get once they get your partners income from the tax office. And its pretty much worked out and paid to you on your next payment date.

Um, you should have already received it by now.  If not, you are more than likely going to have to wait until the end of this financial year to claim it.  I think you have 2 years before it must be claimed.  Next time, if you don't recieve the money within 28 days of putting in the claim, call Centrelink and get them to push the 'go' button!  It isn't done automatically, you do have to lodge a claim and they do have to approve it first.

Over estimating your income is a great way to save.  We over estimate ours every year on purpose, and it means when we get the tax back, we have a very good start on our christmas shopping money.

When you over estimate, you will receive the amount owing with your tax return. At the end of the financial year, centrelink will send you a group certificate and you use that just like a normal one - they also send a copy to the tax department. You wont receive any payments owed to you from family tax benifit  until your partner has also lodged his tax return. Because it works on combined income.

Last year, my partner and i did our tax together. It worked out alot easier than him doing his and me doing mine seperately. Maybe that would be the best way to go about it.