01 October 2025

An updated calculator to help families work out if they can get more support through FamilyBoost is now available on the Inland Revenue website.

The Income Tax (FamilyBoost) Amendment Act, passed last month, increased the proportion of Early Childhood Education fees families can claim from 25 to 40 per cent.

FamilyBoost is paid on fees of up to $300 a week and from now a family can claim a maximum of $120 per week, up from $75.

The Act also increased the household income limit for FamilyBoost from $35,000 per quarter to $57,286 – that’s from $180,000 a year to just under $230,000 annually.

Families can use the calculator to estimate what their FamilyBoost payment may be.

Families need to register for and claim FamilyBoost in myIR – Inland Revenue’s online portal. If they don’t have a myIR account, they’ll need to register for one. They’ll also need to ensure they have an IRD number for the child or children they’ll be claiming for.

Registered households can claim FamilyBoost in myIR after the end of each quarter. For example, they can claim for the July to September quarter from 1 October. They’ll need to save and upload their ECE invoices or quarterly FamilyBoost statements (as images or PDF files) to myIR.

97 per cent of FamilyBoost claims received between 1 July and 30 September were processed within 10 working days. Overall, most FamilyBoost claims are processed within 15 working days although it may take longer if more information is needed from families.

Families can visit Inland Revenue’s website to find out more: www.ird.govt.nz/familyboost

© Scoop Media