Early thirties, tried a musical career but is now apparently into grifting. Or at least has become the face of a fake charity-like organisation that generates AI content of its 'good works' (that don't exist).
My situation - I haven't worked for a couple of years while I renovated the house. My girlfriend earns enough to keep us comfortably because our outgoings are low. She has had private health cover since forever, but I've never had it, and luckily never needed it.
​
Last year she changed jobs and had a big payout (annual leave, etc) so her taxable income was huge. She got whacked with the Medicare Levy Surcharge because I don't have cover. Ouch. She'll have a smaller but still significant outlay for the current year, which makes me question what is the benefit of declaring a spouse? We have no dependents, but have lived together for nine years.
​
If there's no benefit to declaring a spouse, can we be treated as individuals?