Formal review
You can apply for a formal review of most Family Tax Benefit decisions we’ve made. You should do this within 52 weeks from the date we tell you about the decision. This time limit does not apply to Family Tax Benefit by instalment decisions, and some other decisions. You don’t have to ask for an explanation first.
You can apply for a review more than 52 weeks after we tell you about a decision, in certain situations. You can do this if there has been a change to your or your partner’s tax assessment. You should apply for a review within 13 weeks after the Australian Taxation Office tells you about the change.
If you’re also a Child Support customer and the decision affects your child support assessment, you should apply sooner. You should apply for a formal review within 28 days from the date we tell you about the decision.
These time limits can be extended in special circumstances.
You can request a pause on debt repayments during a formal review of a debt decision.
Read more about how to ask for an explanation or applying for a formal review.