I dont think it is fair to say that Australia has high levels of personal income tax anymore. It used to until the tax reforms of the past few years.

As far as I recall, K Rudd was planning to allow tax offsets against these various school cost up to something like $1000. If so, and if you spend $1000 (which isn't hard to do) then, if you had a marginal income tax rate of 30% you would be able to get $300 back. Not sure when this is supposed to be introduced but I think it was an election pledge. Presumably we'll see more detail in the forthcoming budget.

Ok granted, it definitely got better in the last budget in terms of tax.

This tax offset thing sounds like a lot of old smoke and mirrors, why not just fund the schools properly in the first place so they don't have to charge parents to use the school full stop? 'Tis better than nothing though I guess.

Agreed, do Inow have to keep dockets from Coles for pens; one from SMIGGLE for overpriced pencil cases then submit to the ATO, and keep for 6 years? I hope not.