Hundreds of Western Australians could be in line for a large Christmas bonus from the Tax Office, Consumer Affairs Minister Yvonne Henderson advised today.
Mrs Henderson said that all people who had in-ground swimming pools built in their yards between August 20, 1986 and February 12, 1992 could now claim for a sales tax refund plus interest.
"The tax of 20 per cent on the shell and tiling adds up to between $700 and $1,200 on most pools," Mrs Henderson said.
"The Federal Swimming Pools Tax Refund Act was passed in September, following the High Court overturning the imposition of the 1986 sales tax.
"Now the Tax Office is required to refund the tax, plus interest."
Mrs Henderson said she believed many people were unaware of the refund.
She said the refund could be claimed by pool builders who did not pass on the tax, pool buyers who provided sufficient information in a declaration made jointly with the builder, or by the buyer alone if the builder refused to help.
She said people who thought they might have a claim should contact the Tax Office.
