Discretionary relief

We have assistance under the scheme for farmers and customers whose current or future income will be significantly affected by extreme events.

COVID-19 Income equalisation assistance for farmers, fishers and growers

Tax relief – adverse and emergency events IR505 2023 (PDF 215KB) Download guide

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2025 March - Drought conditions across New Zealand
On 7 March 2025, the Government classified this weather, which included hot, dry conditions with below average rainfall, as a medium-scale adverse event.
2025 March - Drought conditions in Taranaki region
On 27 February 2025, the Government classified this weather, which included hot, dry conditions with below average rainfall, as a medium-scale adverse event.
2024 - October - Challenging spring weather and rainfall in Southland and Clutha The Government classified this weather, which included significant rainfall, as a medium-scale adverse event on 4 October 2024.
Drought across parts of New Zealand On 21 March 2024, Minister for Agriculture, Todd McClay, declared a medium-scale adverse event for the Canterbury and Otago regions as a result of drought conditions.
Assistance for farmers affected by the dairy price downturn We allow discretion for early withdrawal for affected farmers.
Assistance for farmers and fishers affected by the Hurunui and Kaikoura earthquakes We allow discretion for early withdrawal and later deposits if you're an affected customer.
Assistance to farmers affected by drought in Gisborne, Manawatu, Rangitikei and Tararua districts We allow later deposits for the 2019 income tax year if you're affected by drought.
Assistance to farmers affected by drought in Northland, North Auckland down to the Harbour bridge We allow later deposits for the 2019 income tax year if you're affected by drought.
Assistance to farmers affected by drought in the entire North and South Island We allow later deposits for the 2019 income tax year if you're affected by drought.
Assistance to farmers affected by drought in the Southland region We have discretion to allow early withdrawal if you're suffering serious hardship.
Assistance to farmers affected by ex-cyclone Gita in the Taranaki and Tasman District We allow later deposits and early withdrawals for affected farmers.
Assistance to farmers affected by floods in Southland and Otago Districts We're able to accept later deposits and early withdrawal if you're affected.
Assistance to farmers affected by floods in the South Canterbury District We have discretion to allow early refund if you're suffering serious hardship.
Assistance to farmers affected by Gisborne floods We allow farmers who are affected to apply for an early withdrawal.
Assistance to farmers affected by the Bay of Plenty floods We will allow farmers affected to apply for an early withdrawal.
Assistance for farmers affected by the Mycoplasma bovis (Mbovis) If you're a farmer and culled your herd because of Mbovis, see if you can lessen this impact with the income equalisation scheme or spreading income over tax years.
Assistance to farmers affected by the storms in the Franklin Ward, Hauraki district and Thames Coromandel district Farmers affected by the storm can make deposits later and early withdrawals.
Assistance to farmers and growers in the Marlborough, Buller and Nelson districts We can accept early refund requests if you're affected or in serious hardship.
Assistance to farmers and growers in the Tasman district We have discretion to allow early withdrawal if you're suffering serious hardship.
Assistance to Northland farmers affected by droughts Farmers affected by droughts may apply for an early withdrawal.
Cyclone Gabrielle Large-scale adverse event for the Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay regions and Tararua district because of Cyclone Gabrielle.
Cyclone Hale rain flooding and wind damage Cyclone Hale has been declared a medium-scale adverse event for the Gisborne and Wairarapa regions.
Damage caused by Cyclone Dovi Medium-scale adverse event declared for the West Coast and top of the South Island regions, the Wairarapa and Taranaki regions, and Waitomo district.
Drought in the Southland and Otago regions Medium-scale adverse event declared for the Southland and Otago regions.
Drought in the Waikato region and South Auckland Medium-scale adverse event declared for the Waikato region and parts of South Auckland (Franklin, Manukau, Howick and Manurewa-Papakura wards).
Extended support for farmer affected by drought The drought which is causing financial issues for many farmers and growers, has been extended.
Extension of time for making deposits to the income equalisation scheme for the 2019 tax year We allow later deposits if you're affected by floods, Mycoplasma bovis or drought.
Flooding in Northland Canterbury and Otago regions and Gisborne and Wairoa districts Cabinet has declared the series of adverse weather fronts that crossed New Zealand between 11 July and 31 July 2022 as an emergency event for the purposes of use of money interest remission (UOMI).
Flooding in the Tairaawhiti Gisborne and Hawkes Bay regions Medium-scale adverse event declared for the Tairāwhiti Gisborne and Hawkes Bay regions.
Flooding in the Tasman Nelson Marlborough and Far North districts On 21 August 2022, Minister for Rural Communities, Damien O’Connor, declared a medium-scale adverse event for the Tasman, Nelson, Marlborough and Far North districts.
Flooding in the West Coast Tasman and Marlborough regions See if the income equalisation scheme can help your business.
Heavy rain and flooding in the upper North Island The heavy rain and flooding in the upper North Island has been declared a medium scale adverse event.
Severe frost in Bay of Plenty and Waikato regions On 10 December 2022, Minister for Rural Communities, Damien O’Connor, declared a medium-scale adverse event for the Bay of Plenty and Waikato regions.
Support for farmers across New Zealand affected by drought We have discretion to allow early refunds of income equalisation deposits, particularly in the case of a medium or large-scale adverse event or when the person is suffering serious hardship.
Support for those affected by the Canterbury floods If you are a farmer or grower affected by the recent Canterbury floods, you can apply for an early refund from the income equalisation scheme.

Te āwhina e ai ki te hiahia Discretionary relief

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Discretionary relief