Hi All,

I've been reading recently about the LAFHA on this site but still don't know the basic facts. I tried to ring Immigration about it, who passed me on to Centerlink who then told me that 457 holders are not entitled to LAFHA. This is completely opposite to what has been discussed here.

I'd like to know if my wife and I are entitled to the allowence and how and where we claim.

Sorry to repeat old discussions, but without weblinks or relevant telephone numbers I'm lost.

Thanks for any help.

David.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: David Kenning,

Hi there.

I suggest you search for LAFHA on this site. There are lots of references and I think that pretty much every angle has been covered already !

However the basics are as follows:-

1. LAFHA MUST be administered by your EMPLOYER ! It needs to form part of your contract of employment.

2. YES - 457 holders are eligible !

3. Centrlink and DIAC would know nothing (or very little) about it as it is the Australian Taxation Office area of expertise as it is a means of reducing tax paid.

4. Your employer does not have to give it to you.

If, after reading the other posts, you nead more enlightenment - please feel free to PM me !

Colin

Oh yes....

5. It cannot be claimed retrospectively - nor can you claim it directly through your tax return !

Thanks Colin,

I found my answer here:

http://www.gomatilda.com/news/documents/The_Living_Away...m_Home_Allowance.pdf

It might be worth doing a permanent link to this document in the Tax&Money Forum. Somewhere obvious so dumbnuts like me can find it

Cheers.

David