Tax rebate
Gordon: I just got this mail from Inland Revenue – it says I need to do a tax return…I’m so confused. I don’t understand why I have to do it.
Simon: Hmm, it’s probably because you arrived in New Zealand part way through the financial year. Did they send you a pack with information about how to do it?
Gordon: What do you mean the financial year? And yeah, they sent an information pack but I can’t make head nor tail of it.
Simon: The financial year goes from March to March. You arrived in New Zealand last November, didn’t you? So you haven’t been here for the whole financial year. There are lots of reasons why people have to do tax returns, like you’re supposed to do one if you’ve made money under the table or if you’ve made money overseas.
Gordon: Right, so how do I fill it out? I’ve tried to ring their call centre to ask for help but I always end up being put on hold for quarter of an hour then cut off.
Simon: I know; it’s a really busy time of year for them. My friend who works for the IRD says it’s best to call during Shortland Street, when everyone’s watching the telly.
But I’ll help you. You just need to follow the instructions in the booklet they sent you. Copy the details from your summary of earnings into the right boxes on the form and follow the formula to work out whether you’ll get a rebate or whether you have tax to pay. If you can get a rebate, you need to let them know whether you want it paid by cheque or direct credit, or you can get it deducted from your student loan or someone else’s student loan.
Gordon: Sounds complicated! Firstly, what’s a summary of earnings?
Simon: That’s the thing they send you before they send you the tax return pack. It lists all the money you have earned over the year and how much tax you have paid.
Gordon: Ok, got one of those. And what’s a rebate?
Simon: That’s when you get money back from Inland Revenue. There’s one that you can usually get if your income is under $38,000 a year.
Gordon: Sounds like me. Ok, well I’ll give it a go.
Simon: Good luck! Give me a call if you need a hand. And remember to send it off before the 7 th of July! Otherwise they’ll charge you a late fee.
Gordon: I’d better get onto it then. Thanks Simon!
Telly – television TV
I’ll give it a go – I’ll try it
get onto it – start to do it
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