About Working for Families

Working for Families Tax Credits are payments for families with dependent children aged 18 and under. The payments are to help you raise your family. Entitlements are based on your yearly family income and family circumstances.

Working for Families is not child support. Child support is paid by parents who do not live with their children or who share care with someone else.

Working for Families payments

There are 4 types of Working for Families tax credit payments.

Family tax credit

Paid regardless of your income source. You can be on salary and wages or receiving an income-tested benefit.

In-work tax credit

This is a payment available for families who have some income from paid work each week.

Minimum family tax credit

A payment to make sure families are getting basic income where the parents or parents work a required number of hours for salary and wages.

Types of Working for Families payments

Best Start tax credit

A weekly payment for families supporting a newborn baby.

Payment options

You can choose to be paid weekly or fortnightly, or in a lump sum after the end of the tax year (31 March).

Weekly or fortnightly payments

Regular payments may help with your day-to-day costs. If you choose weekly or fortnightly payments, they'll begin as soon as your registration is processed.

After the end of the tax year (31 March), when we know your actual family income, we'll work out if we've paid you the right amount. If we have not paid you enough, we'll refund you the extra. If we've paid you too much you'll need to pay back the extra amount.

Lump sum payment

Lump sum payments are based on your actual income. We'll pay it into your bank account sometime from mid-July to mid-August. If you receive income from sources other than salary or wages you'll need to let us know.