Apply for a child support review if you think the formula assessment for your child support payments does not take your special circumstances into account. Before applying, make sure you understand how review decisions can affect you.
Decisions from child support reviews
Before you start
You'll need:
- the years you want reviewed
- the names of the children covered in the review
- to list the grounds, reasons, for your review
- to tell us why you believe the assessment should be changed, matching your special circumstances with the grounds for review
With the future hearing, decide if you want to:
- attend
- bring a support person
- have a representative attend in your place.
In myIR, select 'More...' from the child support account panel
Select 'Apply for a child support review'
Select the grounds you're using in the review
You'll need to select each ground you're using in your application.
Explain how your special circumstances match the ground(s) for review.
You'll also need to check that you've given us the additional documents needed as proof for each ground.
Each ground has a link to more information and a list of any extra information you need to provide.
If you're applying under Ground 5 or Ground 11 we'll ask you about your situation and costs.
Submit your application
After you've sent us your application, you'll receive an Alert in myIR.
This Alert will be a 'Financial details for a child support review'
Completing your financial details is optional. Giving us your financial details helps the review officer to make their decision for the child support review.
The review officer can only make a decision based on the information you give to them. This information is shared with the other people involved - make sure you only provide information you're comfortable with them receiving.
What happens next
We'll assess your application and be in touch with you if we need more information. We'll then contact you with our decision and any further options you may have.
If we accept the application, we’ll arrange for a hearing. A hearing takes around 30 minutes and is:
- informal compared to court hearings
- held separately with each person in the review
- for clarifying information.
Hearings are carried out by a review officer who is contracted by us. They'll make a decision after the hearings with each person involved, usually within 3 weeks. We'll send a copy of their decision, including their reasons for making it, to everyone in the review.
My responsibilities
As a child support customer, you'll always need to:
- tell us about changes
- check your information
- tell us if something is wrong.
You can fill in the Application for an administrative review - IR470 form online or on paper.
You can also send us your financial details in an IR178 form if you think it will help with the review. Remember, the information is shared with other people involved. Make sure you only provide information you're comfortable with them receiving.
Sending us the form as a message in myIR
Make sure you let us know the message is for child support. Attach your completed IR470 form and any supporting documents to the message.
You do not need to sign the form when sending it to us in myIR.
Sending us the form by post
Check you've included your correct information and any documents we need. Sign the form and send your documents to us at:
Child Support
PO Box 39010
Wellington Mail Centre
Lower Hutt 5045
