Family tax credit (previously called family support)
What it is
Family tax credit (previously called family support) is a payment for each dependent child aged 18 or younger.
How much you can get
How much you can get depends on:
- your total annual family income before tax
- the number of dependent children in your care, and
- the age of these children.
You can work out how much you can get if you:
- calculate it online, or
- download our entitlement worksheet.
How your entitlement increases
The table below shows increases in your family tax credit (previously family support) payment depending on the age of dependent children in your care.
| If... | then your entitlement increases by... |
|---|---|
|
your eldest dependent child is aged 16 to 18 |
$13 a week or $26 a fortnight for this child. |
|
your dependent children other than the eldest are aged 16 to 18 |
$28 a week or $56 a fortnight for each of these children. |
|
your dependent children other than the eldest are aged 13 to 15 |
$8 a week or $16 a fortnight for each of these children. |
Who can get it
You can get a family tax credit (previously called family support) from us if your main family income is from:
- salaries or wages, or self-employed earnings
- a student allowance, or
- NZ Super.
Examples
Example 1
Jennie and Nick are both working full-time. Their total annual family income is $45,000. They have three school-aged children. Using the Working for Families Tax Credits 2008 worksheet they estimate that they would be entitled to a family tax credit of $251 a fortnight, as well as in-work tax credit. They apply for both family tax credit and in-work tax credit.
Example 2
Sandra is 66 years old and living alone. She retired about a year ago and receives NZ Super from Work and Income. This is her only form of income. As her daughter works overseas for six to eight months each year, Sandra has to care for her daughter's two dependent children, aged 15 and 17, as the principal child carer. Sandra receives NZ Super payment of $263.90 a week. Using the online calculator Estimate your Working for Families Tax Credits for the 2008 financial year, Sandra calculates that she is entitled to a family tax credit of $140 a week. Sandra applies for a family tax credit.
Important
If your main family income is from income-related benefits, you can get a family tax credit (previously called family support) from Work and Income. You can only receive payments from either Work and Income or us.
Who can't get it
You can't get a family tax credit (previously called family support) if you receive a:
- foster care allowance, orphan's benefit or unsupported child's benefit, for one or more children, or
- parent's allowance.
Example
Angela has three dependent children and receives a surviving spouse pension from Work and Income for her late husband Richard. She needs to check with Work and Income whether she qualifies for a parent's allowance. If so, she can't get a family tax credit (previously called family support).
What to do next
Check whether you can get any of the other Working for Families Tax Credits payments:
Then when you know what type of payment you might receive:
Date published: 09 Mar 2007
Back to top
