A rates rebate is a partial refund for residential ratepayers on low incomes. 

The government may pay up to $750 of your combined district/city/regional council rates in 2023-24 under the rebate scheme. This depends on: 

• your income 
• the rates you are charged 
• how many dependants you have

To be eligible for a rates rebate, you must: 

• be a legal ratepayer for the property that was your home on 1 July 2023 and be named on the council Rating Information Database (RID) 
• apply before the deadline of 30 June 2024

Please complete all information on the application form, including your district or city council rates, and take the form into your local district or city council office for processing (not to the ORC). Incomplete applications will be returned. The rates rebate is processed as a credit to your local district or city council rates account. The credit includes the discount received for ORC rates. 

You’ll need to provide a copy of your complete set of financial accounts, IR3B or IR10. 

Call Inland Revenue on for a breakdown of these payments.

Retirement village residents can apply if you do not own your unit, e.g. you hold a licence to occupy agreement. 

Your retirement village operator will need to fill in a declaration form. Get in touch with them and attach the completed form to your rates application form. 

Make sure you confirm your bank account details as your rebate will be paid directly into your bank account rather than credited to your rate account. 

Your signature on the rates rebate form must be witnessed before it is processed. Please take your unsigned application form into your local district or city council and they can witness your signature and process the application. 

Find contact details for Otago councils: