Minimum Family Tax Credit Calculator NZ

The Minimum Family Tax Credit is a Working for Families payment that tops up a working family's income so it does not fall below a guaranteed minimum after tax, and this calculator helps you see whether you might qualify and roughly how much that top-up could be worth. You enter your family's after-tax income for the year, the guaranteed minimum after-tax income that currently applies, and your combined paid work hours per week, since the credit is only for families who meet a minimum hours test and are not on a main benefit. The tool compares your after-tax income against the guaranteed minimum and returns the estimated top-up for the year, a weekly figure, and your after-tax income and guaranteed minimum side by side, plus a short note flagging low hours or income already at or above the minimum. If your income is below the guaranteed level, the top-up lifts you up to that level; if it is at or above it, no payment is due, though other Working for Families support may still apply. Because the guaranteed minimum and required hours are set by Inland Revenue and reviewed regularly, enter the current figures rather than old ones. This is an estimate only, for general information, not financial or tax advice, so confirm your eligibility and entitlement with Inland Revenue or Work and Income.

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$4,604
estimated Minimum Family Tax Credit top-up per year
After-tax income$32,000
Guaranteed minimum$36,604
Per week$89

Based on your figures you may qualify for a top-up. Confirm the current guaranteed minimum, the work-hours test, and that you are not receiving a main benefit.

The guaranteed minimum income and the required work hours are set by Inland Revenue and change over time, so enter the current figures and confirm eligibility. The credit is generally for working families not receiving a main benefit. Estimate only, general information, not financial or tax advice.

How it works

The Minimum Family Tax Credit guarantees that a working family after-tax income does not fall below a set level. The calculator compares your family after-tax income with that guaranteed minimum. If your income is below the minimum, the top-up is the difference, lifting you up to the guaranteed level. If your income is already at or above the minimum, no top-up is payable. It also checks the work-hours requirement, since the credit is for families in paid work.

Worked example

If the guaranteed minimum after-tax income is $36,604 a year (about $703 a week) and a family earns $32,000 after tax while meeting the work-hours test, the top-up is $4,604 for the year, or about $89 a week, bringing them up to the guaranteed level.

Related calculators

Data sources: the rates and thresholds on this page are maintained against Inland Revenue. Figures are checked twice monthly.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Minimum Family Tax Credit?

It is a payment that tops up the income of working families so their after-tax income does not fall below a guaranteed minimum set by the government. It is aimed at families who work the required hours but have a low income.

Who qualifies for the Minimum Family Tax Credit?

It is generally for working families who meet a minimum number of paid work hours each week and are not receiving a main benefit. Eligibility rules are set by Inland Revenue, so check the current criteria.

How is the top-up worked out?

The top-up is the gap between your after-tax family income and the guaranteed minimum. If your after-tax income is below the minimum, the credit lifts it up to that level.