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Budget 2024: The Government has announced FamilyBoost, a proposed new childcare payment to help eligible families with the rising costs of Early Childhood Education (ECE). Find out more: Beehive.govt.nz

The drought which is causing financial issues for many farmers and growers, has been extended for the Bay of Plenty Region (Western Bay of Plenty, Tauranga, Rotorua, Whakatāne Districts), Taupō District, Gisborne, Hawke’s Bay Region, Marlborough District, Canterbury Region, Otago Region, and the Chatham Islands until 30 November 2021.

Income equalisation scheme - withdrawals

Normally income equalisation deposits are not available for refund until 12 months after the deposit is made. However, we do have discretion to allow early refunds, particularly in the case of a medium or large-scale adverse event or when the person is suffering serious hardship.

We also have the ability to determine a 'class of case' that qualify for an early refund.

All applications for an early refund must be in writing and will take approximately 20 days to process. It should be remembered that the refund will be income in the year that the application is made unless it is elected to treat the refund as income in the prior income year where the application for refund is made in the specified period.

For more information on income equalisation and deposits please refer to our Standard Practice Statement:

SPS 19/03 Income equalisation deposits and refunds



For more information please contact us on our emergency helpline 0800 473 566.

New Zealand legislation

Income Tax Act 2007:

  • Section EH 15(3)
Last updated: 07 Jul 2021
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