If you’re a new or returning resident to New Zealand after 10 years absence, you must choose between getting Working for Families payments (including Best Start) or keeping your temporary tax (transitional residence) exemption on your foreign-sourced income.
What is a temporary tax exemption?
These apply for 4 years to any income (except salary or wages) you’re getting from overseas. You may have the exemption if you’re a new migrant, or a New Zealander returning home after being overseas for 10 years or more.
You cannot have both
You cannot have both Working for Families and a temporary tax exemption. That means if you apply for Working for Families, you’ll lose your exemption.
And once you’ve applied for Working for Families, you cannot change your mind.
Rules when you have a partner
Are you in a relationship?
If you have a partner and both of you have a temporary tax exemption and one of you applies for Working for Families, both of you will lose your exemption.
If only 1 of you has the exemption, loss of the exemption will depend on who has the exemption and who applies for Working for Families.
If the person who has the exemption applies, they will lose their exemption.
If the person without the exemption applies, and we accept the application, then their partner will lose their temporary tax exemption from the date Working for Families starts.
Work out what’s best for you before you apply
If you have a temporary tax exemption and you qualify for Working for Families, we recommend you consider your options before you apply.
You can always apply for Working for Families once your exemption ends.
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