Forums > General Discussion   Shooting the breeze...

Private school fees and tax?

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Created by flanagaj > 9 months ago, 12 Feb 2015
flanagaj
WA, 177 posts
12 Feb 2015 10:22PM
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If you go down the private eduction route in Australia, do you receive any type of tax rebate, or is it like the UK model where private eduction is your choice and although you are taking the weight off the state education system, you don't get any rebate back for it?

Thanks

chrispy
WA, 9675 posts
12 Feb 2015 10:56PM
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taking the weight off the public education system hahaha... go talk to your accountant.if your so concerned. you just sound greedy with that post .

I do realise money comes into so many decisions...but to think that you pay fees for private schooling for your kids and you think that your taking away the burden from the government is laughable . if your so concerned make your kids smarter or faster and get them a scholarship

cisco
QLD, 12325 posts
13 Feb 2015 1:49AM
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If your child scores a scholarship at a private school, it is an unmentionable, to the tax department, or other full fee paying parents. They hate it especially when your scholarship child excells.

SandS
VIC, 5904 posts
13 Feb 2015 7:17AM
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Select to expand quote
flanagaj said..
If you go down the private eduction route in Australia, do you receive any type of tax rebate, or is it like the UK model where private eduction is your choice and although you are taking the weight off the state education system, you don't get any rebate back for it?

Thanks



ahahahaaha your dreaming , now back to snooze

AndyR
QLD, 1344 posts
13 Feb 2015 7:34AM
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Private schools still get plenty of kick backs and hand outs from governments across Australia.

Kierannq
QLD, 150 posts
13 Feb 2015 11:18AM
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my daughter goes to private school, we pay the top amount due to my income, we get nothing back from anyone or any govt dept.

Toph
WA, 1832 posts
13 Feb 2015 10:57AM
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chrispy said..
taking the weight off the public education system hahaha... go talk to your accountant.if your so concerned. you just sound greedy with that post .




I live in a semi rural area where the Community College only goes to year 10. We plan on our kids leaving that school at the start of Yr7 so that if they decide to go all the way through, they wont be changing high school in Yr 11.

The closest high school then is a private school of which we may or may not be able to afford. There are state schools available to us but it will mean having to travel further (and to be honest, they are not really in a good area). If a private school is just out of financial reach, but possible with a rebate or tax break of some sort the private school option is a no brainer.

I cant answer the OPs question, but the above comment is a bit harsh without knowing the situation....

cammd
QLD, 3758 posts
13 Feb 2015 2:17PM
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chrispy said..
taking the weight off the public education system hahaha... go talk to your accountant.if your so concerned. you just sound greedy with that post .

I do realise money comes into so many decisions...but to think that you pay fees for private schooling for your kids and you think that your taking away the burden from the government is laughable . if your so concerned make your kids smarter or faster and get them a scholarship


Pretty sure it takes less tax payer funds to educate a kid in a private school than in does in a public. If all the private schools closed overnight the public system would have a much greater burden at the expense of tax payers.

How much government funding do independent school students attract? On average an independent school student attracts $6,100 per studenti in recurrent (annual) funding. This compares to $13,544 for a student in a government school. NSW Parents Council 2009.

dirtyharry
WA, 444 posts
13 Feb 2015 3:05PM
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What if the richest few % of the population decided they were sick of sharing congested roads with the rest of us, and that they could actually afford the cost of building their own private roads for their exclusive use so that they could have access to a better, faster road network.

Personally I'd say good luck to them, as long as they paid for it.

But I think my attitude would be that they would have to pay for all of it on top of the same road taxes the rest of us pay.

If they got to build their private roads whilst also taking with them the share of taxes they pay towards the public road system, I think I'd be much less supportive.

Isn't it the same with schooling? Shouldn't it be one common education system for all that everyone contributes to? And if you want to pay more for a better system, you don't also take your contribution to the common system with you? Or does this way of thinking make me a communist?

whippingboy
WA, 1104 posts
13 Feb 2015 3:53PM
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In Australia Government spending on private schools increased faster in the past five years than for public schools.
And data in a new Productivity Commission report shows private schools
on average get $1.2 million a year more funding from all sources than public schools

www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/private-schools-reap-government-funding-at-expense-of-public-schools-20140128-31jj0.html

Hooray for tax payer funded Polo ponies

slammin
QLD, 994 posts
13 Feb 2015 6:17PM
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I've read the various threads that pop up regarding private vs public and I find it laughable that many posters are so binary, all private schools are lumped into the same category or alternately all public schools are lumped in together. There are good schools and bad schools, private or public. It's a no-brainer. Only an elite few private schools are expensive ruggers and pony. Similarly not every public school is next door to a housing commission. These generalisations are ludicrous.

In response to the OP if you are employed in a non profit organisation you can salary sacrifice for nominated specific agreed costs, from memory, mortgage, school fees, super etc Thus making your school fees tax free.

If you are looking for tax free Kings fees I suggest your accountants would already be on top of it, but then you probably don't pay any tax already nor would you be on SB.

cammd
QLD, 3758 posts
13 Feb 2015 9:06PM
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whippingboy said...
In Australia Government spending on private schools increased faster in the past five years than for public schools.
And data in a new Productivity Commission report shows private schools
on average get $1.2 million a year more funding from all sources than public schools

www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/private-schools-reap-government-funding-at-expense-of-public-schools-20140128-31jj0.html

Hooray for tax payer funded Polo ponies


I reckon the reason private schools get 1.2m more than public schools on average is because parents pay fees. It still costs the government less and therefore means more is a available for public schools.

Little Jon
NSW, 2115 posts
13 Feb 2015 11:31PM
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Select to expand quote
flanagaj said..
If you go down the private eduction route in Australia, do you receive any type of tax rebate, or is it like the UK model where private eduction is your choice and although you are taking the weight off the state education system, you don't get any rebate back for it?

Thanks


Yes there is already a large rebate in the form of taxpayer funding.

landyacht
WA, 5921 posts
13 Feb 2015 8:33PM
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what S**ts me in my area is that the 2 private,govmnt subsidized high schools take the cream of the students away from the govt school , and the best teachers.
some of my kids classes got so small they had to do TEE online. they didnt have enough money to afford an IT teacher as their funding had been reduced due to less student number.

Craig66
NSW, 2457 posts
14 Feb 2015 7:37AM
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If you have enough money to send your kids to a private school im sure you can afford to pay for a Taxi

if not just send them to a public school on a bus, they are free

Toph
WA, 1832 posts
14 Feb 2015 10:34AM
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Craig66 said..
If you have enough money to send your kids to a private school im sure you can afford to pay for a Taxi

if not just send them to a public school on a bus, they are free




Get a grip on yourself. A taxi twice a day 5 days a week for $40 each way is not affordable for anyone except the real wealthy who would likely have a driver anyway. For some, it's not about prestige, exclusivness or d!ck waving. It is about the better school for the kid, private OR public for a variety of considerations... Moving is an option, but that's not cheap or always desirable either.

Craig66
NSW, 2457 posts
14 Feb 2015 2:48PM
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Toph said..

Craig66 said..
If you have enough money to send your kids to a private school im sure you can afford to pay for a Taxi

if not just send them to a public school on a bus, they are free





Get a grip on yourself. A taxi twice a day 5 days a week for $40 each way is not affordable for anyone except the real wealthy who would likely have a driver anyway. For some, it's not about prestige, exclusivness or d!ck waving. It is about the better school for the kid, private OR public for a variety of considerations... Moving is an option, but that's not cheap or always desirable either.


Toph, did you not see the in my comment ??????



Toph
WA, 1832 posts
14 Feb 2015 11:58AM
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Ummm, no I didn't. Sorry bud... It is a contentious issue at the moment. I probably should've left this thread alone

Cal
QLD, 1003 posts
14 Feb 2015 9:06PM
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For those interested in the cash flow through education, this is indeed a contentious issue. Whilst the usual cloudy accounting is highly utilised, my understanding is that all totalled, private school students recieve more government funding than public students. Personally I think all students should be covered for a base amount, then public schools funded more on top to provide first rate public education. Specific private schools should be allocated specific funding for the public benefit ie for programs in areas with no public schools to take in students that otherwise would be travelling vast distances. I dont think the Gonski recommendation went far enough but it is a disgrace we arnt going to even approach the recommendation.

remo81
QLD, 678 posts
15 Feb 2015 12:13AM
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whippingboy said..
In Australia Government spending on private schools increased faster in the past five years than for public schools.
And data in a new Productivity Commission report shows private schools
on average get $1.2 million a year more funding from all sources than public schools

www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/private-schools-reap-government-funding-at-expense-of-public-schools-20140128-31jj0.html

Hooray for tax payer funded Polo ponies


Is that report based on each school? or does it take into account the number of students in the schools. The private school that I attended had over 1200 students in the senior school alone. I don't know of any public schools that have that many...

So what I'm saying is that it should be looked at at a $/student figure, not a $/school figure.

Need to compare apples with apples. But I am guessing that they didn't teach that at your local statie?

chrispy
WA, 9675 posts
14 Feb 2015 10:29PM
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remo81 said..

whippingboy said..
In Australia Government spending on private schools increased faster in the past five years than for public schools.
And data in a new Productivity Commission report shows private schools
on average get $1.2 million a year more funding from all sources than public schools

www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/private-schools-reap-government-funding-at-expense-of-public-schools-20140128-31jj0.html

Hooray for tax payer funded Polo ponies



Is that report based on each school? or does it take into account the number of students in the schools. The private school that I attended had over 1200 students in the senior school alone. I don't know of any public schools that have that many...

So what I'm saying is that it should be looked at at a $/student figure, not a $/school figure.

Need to compare apples with apples. But I am guessing that they didn't teach that at your local statie?


could you tell me what school you went to...just so I don't make the uneducated choice of sending my kids there. I DO NOT WANT THEMTO TURN OUT AS SMART AS YOY

SP
10979 posts
15 Feb 2015 8:44AM
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remo81 said...
whippingboy said..
In Australia Government spending on private schools increased faster in the past five years than for public schools.
And data in a new Productivity Commission report shows private schools
on average get $1.2 million a year more funding from all sources than public schools

www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/private-schools-reap-government-funding-at-expense-of-public-schools-20140128-31jj0.html

Hooray for tax payer funded Polo ponies


Is that report based on each school? or does it take into account the number of students in the schools. The private school that I attended had over 1200 students in the senior school alone. I don't know of any public schools that have that many...

So what I'm saying is that it should be looked at at a $/student figure, not a $/school figure.

Need to compare apples with apples. But I am guessing that they didn't teach that at your local statie?


Wow. We have a qualified and graduated elitist in our presence. Take the silver spoon out of your mouth and put down your inherited sense of entitlement for a second..

At my school, a public school we got taught to find answers.
I also learnt that in the Uni I went to. That I paid for, does that make it a valid education cause I paid for it..

Your question is answered in about 2 seconds, try the ABS...

But I'll let You go find it.
I wouldn't want a public school boy to make you look any sillier then you already do.


If you can't find it just let me know, I'm happy to post it

Radmac
WA, 201 posts
15 Feb 2015 1:46PM
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We sent our boys to private schools because we wanted a quality education. I am not sure that they made the most of this opportunity, but that was their choice also. It is all about a matter of choice.

Funding of education is a a real contentious issue, but I am not sure that funding is the cure all. The argument here is that tax dollars should only go to state government public schools. This used to be the case in Australia, but was changed due to several arguments on the right to education in institution of choice. It was a historical thing rooted in the WASP/Catholic frictions of the past. And so it has been entrenched to the present day.

As we are seeing with current government proposed changes to current policies, it is very very hard to change.

So, where do we stand with education in Australia at present? I believe that education is generally undervalued within our society. State government have attempted to restore some value to the education by reintroduction of selective state schools. Private school parents of whatever persuasion and economic ability put value on the education by paying for their children's education. Others still send children to public schools but also home school and supplementary tutor . Other parents and children succeed wherever they go.

Education is a right. Freedom of choice is also a right in our society. Definitely should not be tax deductible



Cal
QLD, 1003 posts
15 Feb 2015 5:01PM
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Radmac said...
The argument here is that tax dollars should only go to state government public schools. This used to be the case in Australia, but was changed due to several arguments on the right to education in institution of choice.


I think most would say the argument/discussion is how much public funding should go to the private institutions. Most have moved well beyond the all or nothing positions.

Cal
QLD, 1003 posts
15 Feb 2015 5:05PM
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To answer the original question, you receive considerable tax dollars for your private school education, far more than a simple tax reduction.

Main
QLD, 2327 posts
18 Feb 2015 7:43PM
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if the fees are $25k pa. Then give the school a donation of $28k each year and ask for a full sports scholarship.

The donation is 100% tax deductible each year

sotired
WA, 598 posts
18 Feb 2015 7:05PM
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Main said..
if the fees are $25k pa. Then give the school a donation of $28k each year and ask for a full sports scholarship.

The donation is 100% tax deductible each year



Really? Are these schools somehow setup as charities?

If they are businesses, surely you can't donate money and claim a tax deduction unless its directly related to your business? Of course, that would be structuring your business to pay for personal items, so you must be doing it personally from your after tax income. So unless its a charity, how do you get a deduction from a private school?

Cal
QLD, 1003 posts
18 Feb 2015 10:27PM
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Yes sotired, most independent schools are registered as charities. This is one of the areas that greys the accounting/funding reports with education in Australia. Government schools are, generally speaking, ineligible for charity status.

flanagaj
WA, 177 posts
19 Feb 2015 2:30AM
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Holy sh!t. I stirred a hornets nest with that post!

chrispy
WA, 9675 posts
19 Feb 2015 5:41AM
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flanagaj said..
Holy sh!t. I stirred a hornets nest with that post!


private schools and tax breaks...you are unemployed and about to exit the country. something smells

Main
QLD, 2327 posts
19 Feb 2015 10:05AM
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Select to expand quote
sotired said..

Main said..
if the fees are $25k pa. Then give the school a donation of $28k each year and ask for a full sports scholarship.

The donation is 100% tax deductible each year




Really? Are these schools somehow setup as charities?

If they are businesses, surely you can't donate money and claim a tax deduction unless its directly related to your business? Of course, that would be structuring your business to pay for personal items, so you must be doing it personally from your after tax income. So unless its a charity, how do you get a deduction from a private school?


I was only joking

BUT - our donations to my kids school ARE tax deductible.



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Forums > General Discussion   Shooting the breeze...


"Private school fees and tax?" started by flanagaj