Westland Rates Information for Community Groups, & Property Owners
RATES INFORMATION FOR COMMUNITY GROUPS
50% Community Remission (application form attached, also remission policy)
Council recognises the contribution that community groups, sports groups and other community associations make to their community and acknowledges that small associations may have limited financial resources.
The Rates Remission Policy: Remission for Community, Sporting and other Organisations provides specific financial assistance and relief to community, sports, and other organisations to assist in maintaining and enhancing community wellbeing.
Rating units used primarily for the promotion of art, education, health, recreation, and sport, and not used for a financial gain, may receive up to a 50% remission of general rates levied on rateable value and on Uniform Annual General Charges (UAGC). Targeted rates, including those charged for utility services (refuse collection, sewerage, and water supply) are excluded from the remission.
The policy does not apply to groups or organisations who engage in community, recreational or sporting activities as their secondary purpose, or properties operated for a financial gain, or separately used or inhabited parts of the rating unit.
Any organisation (other than those with non-rateable status applying for remission of service charges) should include the following documents in support of their application:
1) Evidence of constitution
2) Statement of the organisation’s objectives
3) Full financial statements
4) Information on planned activities and programmes
5) Details of membership
Applications received during a rating year will be applicable from the commencement of the following rating year. Applications will not be backdated.
Each application must be made in writing and will be considered on its merits.
You are required to apply for 2021/2022 rating year and every three years thereafter.
Download the Community Group Remission Application Form
RATES REBATES
Are you eligible for a rates rebate of up to $655 for the 2020/2021 rating year? This page offers a brief overview on how the rates rebate scheme operates.
NOTE: Applications CANNOT be processed until after the rates accounts are sent out in early August of each year.
Background & criteria:
• Maximum rebate is $655.
• Income abatement threshold is $26,150 (Note: Your income can be greater than $26,150 and you may still be eligible for a pro-rata rebate).
• Additional income allowance for dependents is $500 per dependent.
• You must be the ratepayer on our records AND reside at the address for which you wish to apply for a rebate as at 1 July 2020.
• Rebates are intended for residential properties only. Properties used principally for commercial, industrial, or farming purposes or in the name of a business are not eligible.
• Retirement village residents with license to occupy agreements can now apply for a rates rebate from the rating year beginning 1 July 2020. (Retirement village residents with a license to occupy do not own the property they live in, but they do have a contractual right to occupy it). The Rates rebates (retirement village residents) amendment Bill was passed in Parliament in February 2018 and the Department of Internal Affairs is working through how the change will be implemented.
• Although a ratepayer's income might exceed the income abatement threshold a rates rebate could still be available, depending on the rates amount and number of dependents. If in doubt, please contact the Rates Department.
• If you are granted a rates rebate, Council will credit the rebate to your rates account.
• The total rates payable includes those due to the West Coast Regional Council. Note however that for the Grey District, applications can only be processed by the Grey District Council and if you are successful, the rebate will be applied towards your Grey District Council rates only. You will need to arrange payment of your regional council rates in the normal manner.
Download the Rates Rebate Application Form
INFORMATION REQUIRED TO PROCESS A REBATE APPLICATION
In order to process a rates rebate application, you will need to advise your TOTAL income BEFORE TAX for the year of 1 April 2019 to 31 March 2020.
Total income declared must include the income of spouse/partner if they are residing at the address on 1 July 2020.
Income includes (but is not limited to):
- New Zealand Superannuation
- Work and Income Benefit
- Wages or Salary
- Personal Superannuation
- Interest
- Share earnings
- Profit before tax from any business (incl. Rental income)
- ACC earnings compensation
- Veteran's pension
- Family Assistance, i.e., Working for Families tax credits
- plus others
For further information: www.westlanddc.govt.nz