Blog

Tougher new rules to determine family income started from 1 April 2014.

The objective is to include in family income anything received regularly which is used to meet regular living expenses. For example, if you take a lower salary and get a car in lieu, the salary reduction has to be included in family income. Similarly, the legislation is designed to stop people sheltering their income in a company or family trust.

The list of adjustments is long and the rules are complicated. If you have a claim for Working for Families, we’ll need more information from you. If you download form IR 215 from the Inland Revenue website, you’ll get a good idea of what we need to know. You’ll also find a calculator on the IRD website.