The Australian High Court seems to be in government smackdown mode lately. They've overruled the Federal Government twice and the South Australian government too.

Boat people have rights, bikies have rights, and now people on welfare can claim tax deductions for education expenses.

This is a sensible decision. People on welfare should be able to claim tax deductions for what it costs to educate themselves. Education is a good way for them to get off welfare. It makes sense to let them have tax deductions for it.

People who have been students in the last four years can claim deductions for that period, even if they have already put in a tax return. They can amend their returns, and soon big fat tax refund cheques will roll in!!


[link to www.smh.com.au]

"The letter contained a landmark ruling by the High Court that Ms Anstis was entitled to claim $920 as self-education expenses.
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The court determined her youth allowance payments as a student were assessable and expenses incurred in gaining that income were deductible.

It means hundreds of thousands of students receiving a youth allowance are eligible to claim educational expenses as a tax deduction, and experts say the federal government faces losing more than $80 million in revenue. Even worse for the Tax Office, claims can be made on education expenses up to four years old, despite an earlier return being lodged."