Kidney Tax Break on Phone Bills   

Australian families could save hundreds of dollars off their existing phone bills with a TAX BREAK by supporting one of Australia's peak charities, Kidney Health Australia.

Derek Finch, Head of Customer Operations, Kidney Health Australia said customers of KHA Comms who will be supplied services by Optus and Telstra are able to designate a percentage of their telephone service account as a tax deductible donation to Kidney Health Australia, which will enable them to claim a tax deduction.

"This means that ordinary families who may have little or no tax deductions can now claim a percentage of their phone bills as a tax deduction whilst supporting the charitable work of Kidney Health Australia.    

"In the case of someone on a $99.00 Gold monthly plan they will receive a tax deductible credit of over $115.00 annually. The same tax deduction program is available on home phones and wireless internet services which when taken together quickly adds up.

"People can switch their phone accounts over via KHA Comms with a simple phone call and immediately go onto the program."    

Mr Finch said because the program will be driven by Solution K - Kidney Health Australia's call centre, all donations will go direct to funding Kidney Health Australia programs for people with kidney disease.

Kidney Health Australia does not receive any government funding and is entirely funded by the support of the Australian community through fundraising and commercial activities such as the new telephone initiative.

"In the past decade it has invested some $30 million on vital kidney research and is responsible for assisting thousands of kidney patients and their families."

Mr Finch said the program will extended to assist other charities raise funds in the future.