Tax Zone Rebate: Explanatory memorandum. Submission to the Australia's Future Tax System Review

Abstract

The Taxation Zone Rebate (TZR) introduced in 1945 is an income tax concession which recognises the disadvantages to residents in ‘specific areas’ of Australia.

These disadvantages according to the Australian Income Tax Assessment Act include uncongenial climatic conditions, isolation and the high cost of living compared to those of other parts of Australia. These ‘specific areas’ consist of two zones. Zone A includes nearly the entire continent above the 26th parallel and some offshore islands with the exception of approximately 50% of eastern Queensland. Zone B which is deemed to be less remote includes the remainder of the continent except for highly populated areas. There are also Special areas in both zones that are deemed to be ‘most remote’, which are more than 250 kilometres from the nearest urban centre with a population 2 500 or more, as at the 1981 census.

The Zone rebate currently consists of two parts, a fixed amount of $57 for Zone B, $338 for Zone A, and $1 173 for Special Areas in both Zones; and an additional amount based on a percentage of certain rebates for dependents, 20% for Zone B and 50% for Zone A and the Special Areas.