What other assistance is available?

Working families that have children may be entitled to the Parental Tax Credit or paid parental leave. An employee or self-employed person may access one, but not both, of these entitlements.

The Parental Tax Credit is a family assistance payment administered by Inland Revenue. The number of children in a family, and the family’s level of income are used to calculate whether the family is entitled to the payment, and the level of the payment.
In most cases, families will receive a higher level of payment if they apply for paid parental leave. However, Parental Tax Credit payments may be higher where a family:

Is on a low income
Is expecting the birth of, or intends to adopt, more than one child
Wishes to take only a short period of parental leave.

You can only access one of the payments and you need to decide which is best for you. Inland Revenue can provide you with advice on whether Paid Parental Leave or the Parental Tax Credit would be best for you, by phoning 0800 377 777.

More information about Parental Tax Credit and other Family Assistance payments can be found on www.ird.govt.nz or phone Inland Revenue on 0800 227 773.

This page was last updated on: 09-Aug-2007 and is current.

Further information & guidance

We welcome the opportunity to help you further. If you can't find an answer to your question, or you want further clarification, more detailed information or guidance on any matter covered here, please contact us. We value your query and will respond to you as quickly as possible.

Call us free on 0800 20 90 20 or visit our website at www.ers.dol.govt.nz.

The content of this document covers common problems. It will not answer every question and should not be used as a substitute for legislation or legal advice.

The Department of Labour takes no responsibility for the results of any actions taken on the basis of information on this website, or for any errors or omissions.