Need help paying your rates?

Ōpōtiki District Council is reminding ratepayers who may need extra help paying rates on their home, that they may be eligible for a rates rebate.

Council’s Financial Controller, Billy Kingi, said that the government’s rates rebate scheme was there to help with up to $700 for low-income ratepayers.

“The amount you could be entitled to depends on a combination of your income, the amount of rates you are charged and the number of dependants you have. You can only apply for one rebate a year and it can’t be backdated to previous years.

“You can apply any time throughout the rating year, which runs from 1 July so if you haven’t applied for your rates rebate already, it is a good time to do so.

“Our rates staff know the process well and are happy to help you through it. They’ll make sure your regional council rates are also included in the application process because it is a combination of both rates this year.

“This year the annual rebate amount has increased to $700 and the income threshold for 2022 is $28,080, so it is worth checking with the online calculator to see if you are eligible as it makes a big difference for many households,” Mr Kingi said.

More information is available on our Rates Rebate page, including a link to the online calculator and the application form.