Working for Families estimator

See how a drop in family income changes Family Tax Credit, In-Work Tax Credit, Best Start and the Minimum Family Tax Credit, and what to tell Inland Revenue.

Private. Nothing you enter is saved or sent.

Your household

Two parentsOne parent

Dependent children (18 or under)

Of those, how many are under 3?

Best Start is $77 a week for each child under 3.

One of us gets a main benefit (like Jobseeker Support)Someone in the family earns wages or self-employed income

Paid hours per week (parent, or both parents together)

Needed only for the Minimum Family Tax Credit: 20+ for one parent, 30+ combined for two.

Family income for the year BEFORE the job loss (before tax)

Both parents, including any benefit. This is roughly what you were being paid on.

Family income you now expect for the WHOLE year (before tax)

Include what you have already earned this tax year (1 April to 31 March) plus what you expect from now, final pay and any benefit.

Enter your children and income to see what you could get.

An estimate for the year 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027. Assumes one set of family income and ignores shared care, child support and other adjustments. Jobseeker Support is counted as family income (IRD says so for Best Start; the Family Tax Credit page does not say). Use IRD's official estimator for the real figure.

Sources: Family Tax Credit, In-Work Tax Credit, Best Start, Minimum Family Tax Credit

General information only. Confirm with the agency for your situation. Spotted something out of date? Email help@unemployed.nz.

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