Rates Rebates

Last updated 21 July 2009

The following offers a brief overview on how the rates rebate scheme operates. It is important to note that applications CANNOT be processed until after the rates accounts are sent out in early August of each year.

Background

• Maximum rebate is $550.
• Income threshold is $21,910 (Note: Your income can be greater than $21,910 and you may still be eligible for a rebate. Please check with the Rating Department). 
• Additional income allowance for dependants is $500 per dependant. 
• You must be the ratepayer on our records AND reside at the address for which you wish to apply for a rebate as at 1 July 2009. 
• Rebates are intended for residential properties only. Properties used principally for commercial, industrial or farming purposes or in the name of a business are not eligible.
• Although a ratepayer’s income might exceed the income threshold a rates rebate could still be available, depending on the rates amount and number of dependants. If in doubt please contact the rates department.
• If you are granted a rates rebate Council will reduce your rates by the amount of the rebate, or send you a refund if you have already paid your rates in full for the rating year.
• The total rates payable includes those due to the West Coast Regional Council. Note however that for the Grey District, applications can only be processed by the Grey District Council. You will need to arrange payment of your regional council rates in the normal manner.

Information Required to Process Application

In order to process a rates rebate application you will need to advise your TOTAL income BEFORE TAX for the year of 1 April 2008 to 31 March 2009. Total income declared must include income of spouse/partner if they are resident at the address on 1 July 2009.

Income includes (but is not limited to):

• New Zealand Superannuation
• Work and Income Benefit
• Wages or Salary
• Personal Superannuation
• Interest
• Share earnings
• Profit before tax from any business (incl. Rental income)
• ACC earnings compensation
• Veteran’s pension
• Family Assistance, ie Working for Families tax credits
• plus others

Examples of types NOT included:

• Bonus Bond/Lottery prizes
• Family Support
• Funeral Benefits
• Lump Sum payments from ACC, Insurance
• Family Tax Credit
• plus other capital sources

If you do not already know what your total income before tax is, you will need to contact the organisation(s) you have received the income from (eg employer, bank etc….) to find out.

Estimated Rebate Entitlement

	Total Rates ($)	800	900	1000	1100	1200	1300	1400	1500	1600	1700	1800	1900	2000	2100	2200
	Total income ($) 10,000	426	493	550	550	550	550	550	550	550	550	550	550	550	550	550
	11,000	426	493	550	550	550	550	550	550	550	550	550	550	550	550	550
	12,000	426	493	550	550	550	550	550	550	550	550	550	550	550	550	550
	13,000	426	493	550	550	550	550	550	550	550	550	550	550	550	550	550
	14,000	426	493	550	550	550	550	550	550	550	550	550	550	550	550	550
	15,000	426	493	550	550	550	550	550	550	550	550	550	550	550	550	550
	16,000	426	493	550	550	550	550	550	550	550	550	550	550	550	550	550
	17,000	426	493	550	550	550	550	550	550	550	550	550	550	550	550	550
	18,000	426	493	550	550	550	550	550	550	550	550	550	550	550	550	550
	19,000	426	493	550	550	550	550	550	550	550	550	550	550	550	550	550
	20,000	426	493	550	550	550	550	550	550	550	550	550	550	550	550	550
	21,000	426	493	550	550	550	550	550	550	550	550	550	550	550	550	550
	22,000	415	482	549	550	550	550	550	550	550	550	550	550	550	550	550
	23,000	290	357	424	490	550	550	550	550	550	550	550	550	550	550	550
	24,000	165	232	299	365	432	499	550	550	550	550	550	550	550	550	550
	25,000	40	107	174	240	307	374	440	507	550	550	550	550	550	550	550
	26,000	-	-	49	115	182	249	315	382	449	515	550	550	550	550	550
	27,000	-	-	-	-	57	124	190	257	324	390	457	524	550	550	550
	28,000	-	-	-	-	-	-	65	132	199	265	332	399	465	532	550
	29,000	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	7	74	140	207	274	340	407	474
	30,000	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	15	82	149	215	282	349
	31,000	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	24	90	157	224
	32,000	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	32	99

Important Note: These figures are estimates only and should not be taken as a final indication of rebate entitlement.

Please contact the Council’s Rates Department on 03 769 8605 if you have any questions.

Applications can be processed after the 1st instalment notices have been sent out in early August of each year.

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