Ratepayers can apply for a rebate on their rates bill for the current rating year from 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2024. You must return your application to council by 30 June 2024. 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 2023-24 rating year
From 1 July 2023, the maximum annual rebate increases from $700 to $750. The abatement threshold increases from $28,080 to $30,100 income for the year to March 2023. The changes reflect movement in the Consumer Price Index.
- Income threshold is $30,100.
- Maximum allowable rates rebate is $750.
If you earn more than $30,100 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.
For more information on rates rebates visit the Department of Internal Affairs website.
Applying for a Rates Rebate
The closing date for 2023-24 applications is 30 June 2024.
Rates rebate application forms are sent out with rates invoices in August 2023, to those who applied for a rebate during the 2022-23 year. 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 2023-24 (PDF, 647KB)
To complete the application form, 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 2022 to 31 March 2023.
- Your Taupō 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.
