Rates rebates help low income home owners

Five hundred Kaipara ratepayers have already been granted a total $280,427 in rates rebates for the 2012/2013 year and many more may qualify for refunds.

Many who qualify for assistance may not be aware of it and Kaipara District Council is urging home owners to check their eligibility. 

The government-funded Rates Rebate Scheme offers assistance to low income home owners by providing rebates of up to $590. 

Eligibility is based on household income, dependants and the level of rates – including water rates. 

Rates are for the current year to June 30, 2013, with the exception of water which is metered charges from the previous 12 months. 

Income is based on the year which ended on March 31, 2012. 

Last year 671 Kaipara applications were processed but Senior Rates Officer Shirlene Powell points out that with the average rate bill rising by 19 per cent this year many more are likely to meet the criteria. 

“We want to ensure that everyone who is potentially eligible should be given the opportunity to seek the rebate that they are entitled to receive,” she says. “Also, anyone who may have applied unsuccessfully in past years should definitely consider looking at it again.” 

Home owners can quickly check whether they are likely to qualify for a rebate online at www.ratesrebates.govt.nz by entering last year's income and the current year's rates into a simple calculator. 

Alternatively, they should contact Kaipara District Council's customer service team. 

"We are only too happy to help. Even if you don't qualify for the full $590, any rebate is a bonus so people should check it out,” says Ms Powell. 

As an example, she says a couple living on national superannuation of $30,584, with rates (including water) of $2,000, which is close to the Dargaville average, would be eligible for a rebate of $361.67. 

Application forms are available from the Rates Rebate and Kaipara District Council websites or council offices.