Chapter 2.3: Child support periods

In this chapter

This chapter describes the start and end dates of child support periods and which financial year of income CSA will use when making an assessment for a child support period.

Contents

What is a child support period?

When do child support periods start?

When do child support periods end?

Child support years (pre 1 July 1999)

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WA ex-nuptial cases

The information in this chapter applies to WA ex-nuptial children.

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Frequently asked questions

What happens if a payee's tax return does not affect the rate of child support payable when it issues but is later relevant because of a change in care /arrangements (i.e. payee's income is between the exempt and disregarded levels and the care arrangements change from sole to shared/sub/major care)?

CSA will amend the existing assessment to take into account the change in care, but it will not make a new assessment to apply to a new child support period. The payee's latest income can be taken into account when a new child support period starts (as long as it is for the last relevant year of income for the next assessment).

Will a new agreement always start a new child support period?

No. An agreement will start a new child support period only if it changes the rate of child support payable. The new child support period starts on the date the agreement affects the rate of child support. If a case starts with an agreement a new child support period starts on the date the liability commences under the agreement.

Does a change of assessment or departure order start a new child support period?

No. Nor does a child support period end when the change of assessment decision or departure order ends.

Does a child support period end at the end of an agreement, change of assessment decision, or departure order?

No. The existing assessment continues after the end of an agreement, change of assessment decision or departure order. The case will revert to the usual formula assessment for the rest of the child support period. The last relevant year of income will stay the same (the last year of income that ended before the start of the period).

CSA may be required to make a new assessment if a later tax assessment has issued during the life of the agreement, change of assessment decision, or departure. If so, it will make the assessment during the last month that the decision, order or agreement had effect and it will apply to a child support period that starts on the first day of the following month.

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Version 1.1

Issued 1 January 2008

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