What is a rates rebate?
The Rates Rebate Scheme was established by the Department of Internal Affairs in 1973 to provide a subsidy to low-income homeowners on the cost of their rates. If you have a low income and pay the rates on your home, you could be eligible for a rebate or reduction of up to $805 in the 2025/26 financial year.
Who can apply for a rates rebate?
You can apply for a rates rebate if you were the legal ratepayer for the property where you were usually living on 1 July on a given year. To be eligible:
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Your name should be on the rates bill as a ratepayer
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You need to declare the income that you (and any spouse, partner or joint homeowner living with you on 1 July 2025) received for the tax year ended 31 March 2025.
Income abatement threshold:
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For super gold cardholders your maximum income abatement threshold must be $45,000
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For non-super gold cardholders your maximum income abatement threshold must be $32,210
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"Income" must be the amount received before tax and includes some types of non-taxable income, such as certain Work and Income allowances.
The maximum rates rebate that can be applied to your rates bill for 2025/26 is $805. You may be eligible for all or only part of this amount.
To read the full eligibility criteria visit the website. If you believe you meet this criteria and would like to check if you are eligible then use their rates rebate calculator.
How do I apply?
The Rates Rebate scheme is administered by the but rates rebate applications are processed by local councils.
Application details are available on the Department of Internal Affairs website.
- You can also download their Rates Rebate Application Form
- Collect a hard copy form from a Council office
- Contact us and we can post a form out to you
Our staff are happy to assist you with any further queries you may have.
When applying for a rates rebate, you must provide the following:
- Accurate information about your income (and that of any spouse/partner or joint homeowner who lives with you) for the tax year
- Your Ōtorohanga rates notice and your Waikato Regional Rates Notice
Applications close on 30 June 2026 and cannot be accepted after this date for a rebate from the 2025/26 financial year. Once your application has been processed, Council will inform you in writing the outcome.
If you’re not sure if you’ve already applied for a rebate, please contact our team.
Download the rates rebate form 2025/26
Rates rebate outreach
If you need help with your rates rebate application or want to know if you qualify our Rates Rebate Outreach team will be in your area soon. to find out more.