Spouse's Separate Net Income

[Ebbie]

This is something I've never fully understood. The ATO asks for this figure in etax on the same page it asks for your spouses taxable income. I've read up on what income is and isn't to be included in SNI but I don't really get when or why you need to calculate it.

Is this something that only needs to be calculated if you have a dependant spouse, that is, you are the main income earner (working full time)?

If the above is true then I assume if you are the dependant spouse you would leave the SNI as zero when you complete your own tax return?

This question throws me off every year so if someone could please clear this up for me once and for all I would be very grateful!

[coastymike]

http://www.ato.gov.au/individuals/co....htm&page=3&H3

[Ebbie]

Thanks coastymike,

From the link you provided:

What is separate net income?
Separate net income (SNI) includes income and other specified amounts that your dependant earned or received in 2008–09 while you maintained them.

So to spell it out for me even slooower, it is something that only needs to be calculated if you have a dependant spouse? If you are a dependant spouse yourself then the SNI in your tax return (for your non-dependant spouse) is left blank?

[Ebbie]

I spoke to an accountant today but I'm still confused about this!

I was told both spouses have to include a calculation showing their partners Separate Net Income because this question comes under the Medicare section and it is there to determine whether you need to pay the Medicare Levy Surcharge.

I still don't understand why the ATO website only talks about Separate Net Income that your dependant received???