38.2 Warlike and non-warlike service

Generally all pay and allowances are tax-free while a member is deployed on warlike service.  As incapacity payments retain the same nature of the payments they are compensating, incapacity payments for the loss of pay and allowances while on a period of warlike service are tax-free.

Generally for non-warlike service only allowances are tax-free.  Therefore any incapacity payments for loss of deployment or other allowances during a period of non-warlike service are also tax-free.

The tax-free nature of incapacity payments only continues for the loss of pay or allowances during the period of the warlike or non-warlike service.  Thereafter any incapacity payments are taxable.

SRCA delegates should access the Service Eligibility Assistant in the CLIK legislation library to assist with verification of warlike or non-warlike service.  These determinations are made for the VEA but can assist in the identification of tax-free pay and allowances for service prior to 1 July 2004.

Source URL: https://clik.dva.gov.au/military-compensation-srca-manuals-and-resources-library/incapacity-handbook/ch-38-taxation-arrangements-applicable-incapacity-payments/382-warlike-and-non-warlike-service