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Rates rebate application form

Once you receive your rates bill, you can apply for a rebate for 2019/20. You'll need to get your application signed by a witness. And you must apply by 30 June 2020.

  1. 1

    Complete the application form

    Rates Rebate Application Form (PDF 810KB)

    If you live in a retirement village

    Your village manager must sign a declaration form.

    Retirement village residents — Declaration form (PDF 600KB)

    If you live in a company-share apartment

    The person who is responsible for paying rates for the whole property must sign a declaration form.

    Company-share apartment residents — Declaration form (PDF 39KB)

    You can ask your council for paper forms.

  2. 2

    Get proof of income

    You will need to show the council proof of income.

    Proof of income from Inland Revenue

    You can get a Personal Tax Summary by logging into Inland Revenue.

    Or you can call Inland Revenue on 0800 227 774 (NZ only).

    Proof of income from Work and Income

    You can ask your case manager to give you a letter showing your income.

    If you’re self-employed

    You’ll need to provide a copy of your complete set of financial accounts, IR3B or IR10.

  3. 3

    Sign your form in front of an authorised witness

    You need to confirm on the form that the information you’ve provided is true. You do this by signing it in front of an authorised witness.

    Council staff can usually witness your signature.

    Who else can witness your application

    • An authorised person at your city or district council.
    • A person enrolled as a barrister and solicitor of the High Court.
    • A Justice of the Peace (JP).
    • A notary public.
    • The Registrar or a Deputy Registrar of the Supreme Court.
    • The Registrar or a Deputy Registrar of the Court of Appeal.
    • A Registrar or Deputy Registrar of the High Court or a District Court.
    • A member of Parliament.
    • A person who is a fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Legal Executives, and is employed by the holder of a practising certificate as a barrister and solicitor of the High Court.
    • An employee of the New Zealand Transport Agency, authorised to witness declarations (by name, or as the holder for the time being of a specified office or title) by the Minister of Justice by notice in the Gazette.
    • An employee of the Public Trust, authorised to witness declarations (by name, or as the holder for the time being of a specified office or title) by the Minister of Justice by notice in the Gazette.
    • An officer in the service of the Crown, or of a local authority, authorised to witness declarations (by name, or as the holder for the time being of a specified office or title) by the Minister of Justice by notice in the Gazette.
    • A number of Government departments, agencies and non-public service departments have specific officers identified as authorised by the Minister of Justice to have a declaration made before them. Some examples of officers who have been authorised to witness declarations include:
      • New Zealand Customs Service officers
      • Ministry for Primary Industries bio-security officers
      • all superintendents, regional managers and site managers belonging to the Department of Corrections’ Public Prison Service
      • specified ranked officers of the New Zealand Police
      • specified members of the New Zealand Defence Force.
    • Any person authorised to witness declarations by the Minister of Local Government in the Rates Rebate (Witnessing of Declarations) Notice 1977. These are:
      • chartered accountants
      • ministers of religion
      • any officer of the Department of Internal Affairs holding the position of executive officer or any higher position.

  4. 4

    Give the application to your council

    If a council staff member witnessed your application, you can leave it with them.

    If someone else witnessed your application, you can post it to the council.

    Your application is due by 30 June each year.

  5. 5

    What happens next

    If you’re successful, your council deducts the amount of your rebate from your rates bill.

    If you’ve already paid your rates in full, they’ll give you a refund.

    Check if you could get more help with housing costs.

    Help with housing and paying rent

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