Sydney, Dec 4 (DPA) Pensioners who earn money playing Santa Claus in shopping malls and department stores complained Friday that the Australian Tax Office (ATO) had spoilt the Christmas spirit.
They are threatening to strike unless the ATO looks again at recent changes to the tax code.
Rosalind Palisi, whose Sydney labour hire company Straight Down the Line Promotions has 400 Santas on its books, said retirees were no longer able to limit their tax liabilities by spreading Christmas income through the financial year and they now risk losing welfare payments during the six-week season.
“They feel that the pension is a safe income whereas the Santa money now has been taken away,” Palisi told national broadcaster ABC. “They can’t afford to lose their pension.”
