Rates rebate
A rates rebate is a partial refund for people who pay rates to the council. Use this page to find out if you are eligible for a rebate and how to apply. You need to re-apply each year by 30 June.
Contact us if you need help with the application process and information needed to support your application. You can also visit the Department of Internal Affairs: www.dia.govt.nz.
Step 1. Check you are eligible for a rates rebate
- You must be an owner of the property for which you are applying. Ownership needs to be registered on the Certificate of Title, Māori Land Online or the rate account.
- The property must be your main place of residence.
- You must have lived in your property from the start of the rating year 1 July.
Step 2. Find out how much you might be entitled to
The Department of Internal Affairs has a calculator that will give you an estimate of your rebate entitlement.
Your rebate is calculated on the gross household income for the previous financial year and the amount of the rates you pay on your property. You must provide evidence of income and you must have lived in your property from the start of the rating year 1 July.
Step 3. Gather required information
You will need the following supporting documents:
- Copies of statements of all types of income received for the previous financial year for you and your partner or joint homeowner: Wages or salary, Work and Income benefits and/supplements (e.g. accommodation), personal superannuation, interest or dividends, overseas income (converted to New Zealand dollars), rental income, trust income, ACC earnings compensation, any other income.
- If you are self-employed, provide a set of financial accounts for the relevant financial year.
- Proof of interest received - request a Resident Withholding Certificate (RWT) from your bank for the previous financial year.
Step 4. Complete application form
If you have previously received a rates rebate, you will receive a property rates rebate application form and guide in July/August with your property rates notice. Otherwise, you can download your DIA Rates Rebate application 2023-2024. If you live in a retirement village and want a property rates rebate, you will need to complete this declaration.
Step 5. Submit rates rebate application form
- Scan your application form and supporting documents and email to ask.us@fndc.govt.nz.
- Post your form and supporting documents to Far North District Council, Private Bag 752, Kaikohe 0440
- Visit any Service Centre or isite during normal operational hours to drop in your application form and supporting documents.
You will receive written notification of receipt of your application with a reference number. It will take 3-4 months to process your application. During this time, you will need to continue to pay your rates to avoid penalties. Visit How to pay your rates to find out what your options are.
Once we have processed your application, the rebate amount will be credited to your property rates account:
- we will let you know if your application has been successful, and the amount of your rebate
- we will let you know how much you have left to pay on your next property rates notice
- if your rates rebate has cleared your rates balance to 30 June and put you in credit, you may be eligible for a refund
- if you are currently paying by direct debit, we will recalculate your payments and let you know if there are any changes.
Related pages
Contact Us
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Closing date: 30 June 2024
The closing date for property rate rebates for the 2023-2024 financial year is 30 June 2024.
Make sure your application is complete
You must provide all requested information. Incomplete applications will be returned to you. We will outline what additional information is required.