Doctors Hit by Education Tax Change

by AAP, 21st Century News: http://www.21stcenturynews.com.au/doctors-hit-education-tax-change/?inf_contact_key=33da3e9c1bc473800069a46d14890df6eb018ca233207ab409d257e170a0175d

John Curtin School of Medical Research, ANU (Wikipedia)

Doctors who need to undertake ongoing training will be hit by a government decision to slash self-education tax breaks to pay for school funding reforms, the peak medical body says.

The Australian Medical Association (AMA) described a government decision to cap tax deductions at $2000 as “ill-informed”, saying doctors completed more than one course a year to maintain and improve their qualifications.

The government says it will save $520 million from the tax change, which would go towards its $14.5 billion Gonski education package.

Announcing the changes last week, Treasurer Wayne Swan said students were currently able to make large claims for expenses such as “first-class airfares, five-star accommodation and expensive courses”.

But AMA president Steve Hambleton said the tax crackdown would be a disincentive for doctors to pursue training “that could help save lives and improve the quality of life for many Australians”.

“Australia has some of the most demanding medical training courses in the world, and the Medical Board of Australia and the medical colleges require doctors to maintain their skills through continuing professional development,” Dr Hambleton said in a statement.

“Australian doctors also travel overseas to learn about the latest medical research and innovations, innovative surgery techniques, and advances in overall patient care.”