Education costs: get your money back

Paying for your kids' textbooks and stationery can quickly add up, but you may be able to get some of that money back.

The education tax refund (ETR) gives up to 50% back on a range of children's education expenses, including home laptops and computers, home internet connection, computer-related equipment such as printers, USB flash drives and textbooks.

You can't claim things such as school fees, tutoring costs and musical instruments. One change (subject to legislation) is that school uniforms purchased after July 1, 2011 will be claimable in the 2011-12 financial year.

For the 2010-11 tax year, refunds may be as much as $397 for every child at primary school, and up to $794 for every child at secondary school.

It increases each year by the consumer price index rises.

If you get Family Tax Benefit (FTB) Part A you probably are eligible for the ETR. You will need your receipts to calculate your refund and you may need to show them as proof of purchase.

So if you want to claim in the 2011-12 financial year, make sure you hold on to all your receipts. Visit educationtaxrefund.gov.au for more details.

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