Question 1

What is the Family Tax Credit and how much can I receive per child?

Accepted Answer

The Family Tax Credit (FTC) is the main payment under New Zealand's Working for Families scheme. It provides a set amount per dependent child, with a higher rate for the eldest child.

Who is eligible:
 You are a New Zealand tax resident
 You have dependent children aged 18 or under (or 1618 if not receiving a benefit or student allowance in their own right)
 You are the principal caregiver of the children
 Your family income is below the abatement threshold

Payment amounts (for the 2025 tax ye

Question 2

What is the In-Work Tax Credit and can I get NZ$72.50 per week?

Accepted Answer

The InWork Tax Credit (IWTC) is a payment under Working for Families designed to support families where at least one parent is in paid employment. It provides NZ$72.50 per week for families with up to three children.

Payment amounts:
 NZ$72.50 per week for families with 1 to 3 dependent children
 An additional NZ$15 per child per week for each child beyond the third
 For example, a family with 5 children receives NZ$72.50 + (2 x NZ$15) = NZ$102.50 per week

Eligibility requirements:
 You must n

Question 3

What is the Best Start tax credit and can I get NZ$73 per week for children under 3?

Accepted Answer

The Best Start tax credit is a payment to help families with the costs of raising a child during their first three years of life. For the 2025 tax year (1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025), the payment is approximately NZ$73 per week per child (NZ$3,796 per year).

How Best Start works:

Year 1 (birth to age 1):
 Best Start is a universal payment for all eligible families during the child's first year of life, regardless of income
 All families with a child born on or after 1 July 2018 are eligible

Question 4

How do I apply for Working for Families and what are the income thresholds?

Accepted Answer

Working for Families is a package of tax credits to help New Zealand families with the cost of raising children. Here is how to apply and understand the income thresholds.

How to apply:
1. Online (recommended): Log in to your myIR account at ird.govt.nz and apply through the Working for Families section
2. By phone: Call IRD on 0800 227 773
3. In person: Visit a Work and Income office if you are receiving a benefit

What you need to apply:
 Your IRD number and your partner's IRD number (if appl

Categories

Working for Families

What is the Family Tax Credit and how much can I receive per child?

What is the In-Work Tax Credit and can I get NZ$72.50 per week?

What is the Best Start tax credit and can I get NZ$73 per week for children under 3?

How do I apply for Working for Families and what are the income thresholds?