Sent: Wednesday, August 21, 2024 1:55 PM
Subject: LGOIMA - Rates rebates
I refer to your LGOIMA request of 30 July 2024 regarding rates rebates.
The Rates Rebate Scheme is a partial refund for people who pay rates to Council and meet certain criteria. It exists to provide financial relief for low-income New Zealanders owning their own home. Applications for rates rebates are made to and granted by Council. Council is reimbursed this rebate by the Government through the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA). Rates rebates are calculated using a formula in the Rates Rebate Act 1973. These rates are updated each year on 1 July by the Government.
Below are the responses to your specific questions:
1. Number of applications for rates rebates for the month of July for the last five years
Council does not start processing applications until August following the striking of rates for the rating year 1 July to 30 June.
The number of applications for rates rebates for the month of August for the last five years are:
2019/20 – 600
2020/21 – 700
2021/22 – 400
2022/23 – 570
2023/24 – 401
2024/25 – 320 as at 15 August 202
2. How many were approved
Only applications that meet the criteria are processed.
3. For the last five years how many were
approved for each year as a whole
1 July 2019 – 30 June 2020 – 1755
1 July 2020 – 30 June 2021 – 1692
1 July 2021 – 30 June 2022 – 1767
1 July 2022 – 30 June 2023 – 1669
1 July 2023 – 30 June 2024 – 1886
4. For each of those years how many were
above the income threshold and what were the reasons why the applications were
granted
- Rebate applications that meet the threshold
amount qualify for the full rebate amount.
- Rebate applications that are over the threshold
may still qualify for a partial rebate subject to further conditions. Council staff use the rates rebate calculator on the Government website to
check eligibility.
5. For each of those years how many were declined and what are the reasons why
Council only processes rebates that meet the criteria.
6. For each of the last five years what was the maximum income abatement threshold
This information is updated each year on 1 July by the DIA. Council does not keep a record of the threshold for previous years. This may be available from DIA. For the 2024/25 year the income threshold is $31,510.
7. For each of the last five years what was the maximum rates rebate
This information is updated each year on 1 July by the DIA. Council has not kept a record of the maximum rates rebate for the 2019/20, 2020/21, 2021/22 and 2022/23 years. This may be available from DIA.
For the 2024/25 year the rates rebate is $790, and for 2023/24 it was $750.
8. For each of the last five years what was the average rebate
Qualifying rebate applications are sent to the DIA. Generally rebate applications qualify for the full rebate amount. Refer to question 4 for other rebate applications.
9. For each of the last five years what was the average age of applicants
This information is not recorded as part of the rebate application.
10. For the 2023/2024 year, of each of the successful applications, what was the average rate (before Rebate)? Of the declined?
Only applications that met the criteria were processed and generally these all qualified for the full rebate amount. The full rebate amount for 2023/2024 was $750.00. Applications that did not meet the criteria were not processed.
