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Child Support Act 1991

Exemptions - Exemptions for hospital patients, persons suffering from long-term periods of illness, prisoners, and persons under 16 years - Exemption for persons under 16 years

89E: Exemption for persons under 16 years

You could also call this:

“Kids under 16 might not have to pay child support”

If you’re a parent who has to pay child support, you might not have to pay it for the time before you turn 16. This is called an exemption. You can get this exemption if:

You didn’t earn any money during that time, or if you only got money from investments. If you did get money from investments, it couldn’t be too much. The amount you got each week, on average, had to be less than a certain small amount. Also, if you’re looking at a whole year, the total amount couldn’t be more than a set limit.

To get this exemption, you need to apply for it. There’s a special way to do this, which is explained in another part of the law.

Remember, there are a couple of other rules that might affect whether you can get this exemption. These rules are explained in different parts of the law.

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This page was last updated on

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM254747.

Topics:
Family and relationships > Children and parenting
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89D: Exemption for long-term prisoners, or

"You might not have to pay child support if you're in prison for a long time"

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89F: Exemption does not apply at any time during child support year if income criteria not met at any time during relevant period, or

"You can't use a child support exemption if you make too much money during the year"

Part 5A Exemptions
Exemptions for hospital patients, persons suffering from long-term periods of illness, prisoners, and persons under 16 years: Exemption for persons under 16 years

89EExemption for persons under 16 years

  1. A liable parent is eligible for an exemption from the payment of child support for the whole, or part, of the period before that person turned or turns 16 if—

  2. the person's income for that whole period, or that part, will be or was nil, or will be or was calculated only from income consisting solely of income from investments; and
    1. the person's income from investments (if any) during that whole period, or that part, did not or will not—
      1. exceed an average amount per week in that whole period, or that part, that is equal to the relevant minimum annual rate of financial support, divided by 52; and
        1. if that whole period, or that part, is 1 or more full child support years in duration, exceed, in a child support year in that whole period or that part, the relevant minimum annual rate of financial support; and
        2. the person applies for the exemption in accordance with section 89H.

          1. This section is subject to sections 89F and 89G.

          Notes
          • Section 89E: inserted, on , by section 17(1) of the Child Support Amendment Act 2006 (2006 No 42).