Rates Rebate Scheme

Ratepayers can apply for a rebate on their rates bill for the current rating year from 1 July to 30 June. You must return your application to council by 30 June. Eligibility criteria apply.

Eligibility

The Rates Rebate Scheme is a partial refund to ease rates bills for low-income people. It provides financial relief for those who own their own home and live in that home. It includes people living in retirement villages, but does not apply to rental or holiday homes or commercial premises.

New threshold amounts for 2022/23 rating year

From 1 July 2022, the maximum annual rebate increases from $665 to $700. The abatement threshold increases from $26,510 to $28,080 income for the year to March 2022. The changes reflect movement in the Consumer Price Index during the 2021 calendar year.

• Income threshold is $28,080.
• Maximum allowable rates rebate is $700.

If you earn more than $28,080 you still may be eligible for a rebate. A quick way for you to check your eligibility is to go online to www.govt.nz/rates-rebate and use the online rebate calculator. You only need to fill in three fields; your total gross income, number of dependants and your total Taupō District Council and Waikato Regional Council rates.

You can access your Taupō District Council rates through the Rating Information Database (R.I.D) and your Waikato Regional rates from their website rates.waikatoregion.govt.nz

For more information on rates rebates visit the Department of Internal Affairs website.

Applying for Rates Rebate

Rates rebate application forms are sent out to those who applied during the 2021/22 year, with your rates invoices in August 2022.

Otherwise you can request an application form to be posted to you, or download and print the PDF application form yourself.

Rates rebate application form 2022-23 (PDF, 393KB)

You will need the following information:

• A fully completed application form.
• Proof of income summary from WINZ or an employer and details of any other income including bank interest, share earnings and income from other sources etc. Please make sure that the income you provide is money received, before tax, for the tax year 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2022.
• Your Taupo District Council and Waikato Regional Council rates totals.

You can submit your application in person or someone else can bring it in for you to Council directly or alternatively you can email the completed form to info@taupo.govt.nz.

Please note that you are still required to sign your name (either with pen or digital signature). A typed signature is not acceptable.

The closing date for applications is 30 June 2023.

About the Rates Rebate Scheme

The Rates Rebate Scheme was established in 1973 to provide a subsidy to low-income homeowners on the cost of their rates.

For more information see The Rates Rebate Act 1973.