Who can get it

You need to be:

• caring for at least one child under 18 who’s financially dependent on you
• over 16
• a New Zealand tax resident living in NZ, or the children in your care are NZ residents who live in NZ.

Find more information on Inland Revenue’s website:

• All about Working for Families — Inland Revenue
• Can you get Working for Families? — Inland Revenue

How much you can get

The type of payment and the amount you will get depends on:

• how many dependant children you have (kids under 18 you are financially responsible for)
• your total family income (including interest, dividends and income from your kids)
• the number of hours you and your partner work each week
• the type of income you earn (wages, self-employed, on a benefit).

You can use Inland Revenue's calculator or chart to estimate your Working for Families entitlement.

Working for Families calculator — Inland Revenue

The calculator only provides an estimate and it cannot work out the payment for some family situations. You may need to contact Inland Revenue.

Working for Families and Best Start - contact us — Inland Revenue

Getting paid your tax credit

Your payments are worked out based on the information you give Inland Revenue about your income for the year.

You can choose to be paid:

• weekly
• fortnightly
• as a lump sum for the whole year — paid after the end of the tax year.

You can change this throughout the year if you want to.

Choosing when to get paid

You can estimate your income for the year and get weekly or fortnightly payments if:

• your income is the same all the time, and
• you do not expect anything to change during the year (you’re not planning to have another baby, change jobs or have a child move out of home).

Choose a lump sum payment if:

• your income changes frequently
• you would find it hard to predict your income for the whole year, or
• you’re expecting a change in circumstances (a new baby, a child moving out, job changes or extra money coming in).

What to do if something changes

If something changes, either in your family or with your income, your entitlement might also change — you need to tell Inland Revenue as soon as possible.

Changes to your family situation, income and working hours — Inland Revenue

Working for Families and Best Start - contact us — Inland Revenue

If you underestimate your income

If you choose weekly or fortnightly payments and you underestimate your income, you’ll be overpaid and have to pay the extra money back after you have had your tax assessment for the year.

If you talk to Inland Revenue, they may be able to work out a payment plan for you.

You’ll be charged penalties and interest on any late repayments.

If you earn less than you thought you would

If you have earned less than your estimate at the end of the year, you might receive an extra payment to square things up.

You’ll be paid this as a single payment after you have had your tax assessment for the year.

If your application is delayed and you missed payments

You might also be paid extra if your application took so long to process that you missed some payments.

At the end of the tax year

The tax year ends on 31 March each year. Inland Revenue will send you an income tax assessment or a reminder to file an individual tax return (IR3) depending on your circumstances.

You’ll need to confirm:

• how much you earned, and
• your family details.

Inland Revenue will then work out if your payments are right.

What happens at the end of the tax year — Inland Revenue