We understand that tax won't be the first thing on your mind after the flood. However, it's important to contact us with any concerns or questions you have about tax relief, so we can help you.

If an extreme event affects your ability to make your tax payments and/or affects your income, tax relief and/or income assistance may be available depending on your personal circumstances and the particular event.

• Provisional tax estimates/re-estimates
• Late filing and late payment penalties
• Outstanding tax
• Certificate of exemption
• Special tax codes
• Income equalisation scheme
• Working for Families Tax Credits
• Child Support
• Contacting us for more help

Provisional tax estimates/re-estimates

You may be able to make an estimate or re-estimate of your provisional tax if your income has changed due to the Nelson flood. We can arrange early refunds if provisional tax has been overpaid.

Late filing and late payment penalties

If you've been unable to file returns on time it's important to contact us and discuss your options. Extensions can't be granted for GST and PAYE returns, but any penalties for late filing may be waived. If you receive a letter advising your return is overdue it's important you don't ignore the letter but contact us or your tax agent.

Under some circumstances penalties for late payments caused by the effects of the extreme event may also be waived.

Outstanding tax

We'll consider instalments for outstanding tax in some circumstances. You can apply for a write-off due to serious hardship when you know you won't be able to pay the full amount.

Please note that If we grant relief from payment due to hardship and you have losses to carry forward, these losses will be reduced in proportion to the amount written off.

Certificate of exemption

If you're currently involved in contract work where schedular payments are to be deducted (eg, shearing or other agricultural contract work), you may be entitled to a certificate of exemption.

Special tax codes

You may be entitled to a special tax code if you're receiving a salary or wage and have a loss to carry forward.

Income equalisation scheme

Farmers (which includes anybody carrying on an agricultural business on land in New Zealand) who have money deposited in this scheme may be able to make an early withdrawal, or deposit funds in the scheme later than the usually allowed date.

Find out more about the income equalisation scheme

Working for Families Tax Credits

Working for Families Tax Credits entitlements are based on a person's yearly family income. Your entitlement may change if your family income has been affected by the extreme event. You can update your estimated family income using our "Secure online services".

Working for Families Tax Credits can be claimed weekly, fortnightly or at the end of the year. It's important if you have a tax agent to discuss your options with them in the first instance.

Child support

You may have concerns or questions about your continuing entitlements or you may have trouble making child support payments by the due dates. Please call us on 0800 221 221 so we can help you.

Need more help?

We suggest you contact your tax advisor in the first instance to discuss any of the above issues. If you wish to speak to us please call 0800 473 566.

Date published: 15 Dec 2011

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