‘Limit lifted’ on rebate

Press, 26 July 1977, Page 3

‘Limit lifted’ on rebate

Employees are now able to claim more than $5O for expenses incurred in the course of their job. A correspondent (Mr R. A. Cook), complained in a letter to the editor of “The Press” that the Government's promised repeal of the $5O limit on such a tax rebate had not been forthcoming.

The district commissioner of the fnland Revenue Department in Christchurch (Mr C. K. Jones) said yesterday that the rebate had been increased on April 1. Employees were now able

to claim at least $5O without having to produce documentary evidence of such expenditure, and provided they had receipts to substantiate it could claim more. The department seemed prepared to accept “legiti-mate-sounding” claims over $5O without receipts, said Mr Jones. However, it would pay people making such claims to keep all receipts, in case they were asked for. I Department officers had a [fairly thorough knowledge of industrial awards, and allowances paid by employers, he said. Any man who was entitled to a $3OO tool allow-

: ance under his award, and who then claimed a rebate for $3OO would be suspect and his receipts asked for. In short, the employee could not claim for expenses reimbursed by the employer. Rebates might cover union fees and subscriptions: reference books, technical and trade journals and period-) teals (to a maximum of $20); protective or uniform clothing; tools of trade (to a maximum of $100); education courses and conferences (maximum $400); travelling expenses, or the use of the home in the course of the employment.