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When you register (apply) for Working for Families, we'll ensure you get all types you qualify for.

Types of payment

Temporary tax exemption on overseas income

If you're a new or returning resident with a temporary tax exemption, you'll lose your exemption if you apply for Working for Families.

New or returning residents

Before you start

Before registering you will need:

  • IRD numbers for you, your partner and your child – you can still receive Working for Families payments for 8 weeks if you need to apply for an IRD number for your child
  • your estimated family income for the tax year, including any other family income adjustment payments – if you register in myIR we’ll fill in the income information we know about
  • any child support amounts paid or received by private agreement
  • your bank account number.
  • to know whether you or your partner has a temporary tax exemption on overseas income.

Working out your family income

In myIR, select 'I want to...'

Scroll down to 'Register for Working for Families'

Complete and submit your details

Log in to myIR

You can also register for Working for Families by contacting us or by using the registration tool below.

Working for Families and Best Start - contact us

5 minutes
Working for Families registration

If you do not have a myIR account, you can still register for Working for Families here.

Go to this tool

What happens next

You will get a notice of entitlement from us. It will tell you how much your payments will be and the date of your first payment.

You will get the notice:

  • the next day if you use myIR
  • within 10 working days if you do not use myIR.

Your responsibilities

As a Working for Families customer you must:

  • check your information
  • tell us about changes to your family situation
  • tell us about changes to your income or hours of work
  • tell us about changes to your contact details or bank account.

Partner access

You can give your partner access to your Working for Families information in myIR. Your partner will be able to see the same information as you and make some updates.

It's up to you if you give your partner access. You can cancel your partner's access at any time.

Using myIR

If you do not have a myIR account you can register for one.

myIR lets you see and update your Working for Families information at any time. You can:

  • see your payment amounts and dates
  • see the information we have about your current and past income, partner and dependent children
  • update your information.

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Last updated: 11 Mar 2025
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