NO.035

Senior Australians And Pensioners: Increase In Medicare Levy Threshold

The Government will increase the Medicare levy threshold to $20,000 for senior Australians, including age and service (age) pensioners and to $15,970 for other pensioners entitled to the pensioner rebate.

This measure complements the increases in tax rebates, also announced in this Budget, so as to ensure that single senior Australians with incomes up to $20,000 are completely free from income tax and Medicare levy. (See Press Release No. 37 Senior Australians: Increase in effective tax free threshold.)

The measure also ensures that pensioners not of age pension age and who are entitled to the pensioner rebate can have income up to $15,970 without paying income tax or Medicare levy. (See Press Release No. 36: Pensioners below seniors age: Increase in effective tax free threshold.)

22 May 2001
CANBERRA