Step by Step Guide: How to File a Tax Return in New Zealand

Where to File Your New Zealand Tax Return Online – IR3 Form Onlin

If you have worked in New Zealand, you will have noticed some income tax deducted in your payslip. Well, did you know you can claim some of that income tax back? Of course, you did! That’s why you’re here! In this step-by-step guide, we’ll show you how to file a tax return in New Zealand.

The Inland Revenue Department (IRD) allows you to file your own New Zealand tax return in New Zealand by setting up a “MyIR” account on the IRD website. We recommend filing all the correct IRD paperwork before each waged job you undertake in New Zealand and set up a MyIR account before the end of the tax year (begins on 1-April and ends on 31-March) so you can keep track of when you are able to file a New Zealand tax refund through the IRD website. However, if you miss the opportunity to file a tax return in New Zealand, there are other options to get your tax return which we mention at the bottom of this guide.

1. Register for a MyIR Account

To file for a New Zealand tax return online, first, you need to register for a MyIR Account. Click on “Register” on the IRD homepage.

Step by Step Guide: How to File a Tax Return in New Zealand

2. Enter Your IRD Number

The page you will land one gives you an introduction to creating a myIR account, what you’ll need, when to use your account and more. Click on “Next” and you’ll land on the page displayed below.

On the “Your details” page (i.e. the page screen-captured below), make sure “Create a personal myIR account using an IRD number” is selected.

Under “Personal Details” make sure “IRD number” is selected from the dropdown menu. Then enter your IRD number (you don’t need to type the hyphens as they appear automatically). Your IRD number is your tax number. You can find it on any payslips you have received from work or from any paperwork, emails, text messages you will have received from IRD.

You will then need to enter your first name, last name and date of birth. Your first and last name will be automatically entered into the myIR web name. We recommend to keep it the same as your first and last name, but you can change it if you wish. Once all of the fields are completed, click on “I’m not a robot” checkbox and then click “Next”.

3. Fill in Your Email Details

On this page, you will need to complete the fields to complete your myIR account. You’ll need to choose a user ID, password and provide an email address. You may also be required to provide a phone number with the appropriate dial code.

Note the below screenshot is from the old IRD website. What you see on screen may look different from this.

4. Agree to the Conditions of Use

Check your details, click on the box to agree to the conditions of use, and continue.

Note the below screenshot is from the old IRD website. What you see on screen may look different from this.

5. Use Your Activation Code

Once the previous page is complete, you will then receive an activation code by email. You have two hours to enter the activation code. Otherwise, click on end process and call IRD for an activation code. Enter the activation code and click “submit”.

Note the below screenshot is from the old IRD website. What you see on screen may look different from this.

6. Login Into Inland Revenue Online Services

If your activation code is successful, then you should see this page. Click “login”.

Note the below screenshot is from the old IRD website. What you see on screen may look different from this.

7. Log into MyIR

Type in your User ID and password that you created in the previous steps and click “login”.

8. MyIR Homepage

After you have logged in using your newly created User ID and password, you will see a page that looks like the screenshot below. There are a few different ways to proceed with filing a tax refund. If the current date is coming to the end of the tax year (31-March), you will have a notification under “Account alerts” with a link to file for an IR3 (a New Zealand tax return form) soon after the end of the tax year. Click on this link and you’ll go straight to the IR3 form which is straightforward to fill out.

Alternatively, if it is not coming up to the end of the tax year or you are wanting to file a tax refund for a past tax year, click on “Income tax” under “All accounts”.

9. Filing a NZ Tax Return for a Past Tax Year – IR3 Form

If the tax year has already been and gone, then select the “Periods” tab and click on the links to “file an IR3” or “request PTS”. If there are no links available, then you may not be able to file a tax refund online. Contact IRD, in this case, using the details provided at the end of this guide.

10. Read Step 1 – IR3 Form

This tool will allow you to work out if you are entitled to a tax return in New Zealand for the selected tax year. Make sure the “filing period” is correct, read the information outlining what you’ll need to complete this form, and click on “Next”.

11. Complete Step 2: “Filing Requirement” – IR3 Form

The next step is an easy “yes or no”. Click on the appropriate “yes” and “no” answers that apply.

12. Complete Step 3: “Build Your Return” – IR3 Form

Select at least one of the checkboxes next to the income type that applies to you. You can select multiple options if needed.

13. Complete Step 4: “Secondary forms” – IR3 Form

Select the secondary forms that apply. If none apply, check the box next to “No secondary forms to submit”.

14. Complete Step 5: “Specific situation” – IR3 Form

Select any specific situation that applies to you. If none apply, check the box next to “No specific situations apply”.

15. Complete Step 6: “Disclosures” – IR3 Form

Select any disclosures that you want to file. If none apply, check the box next to “You have no disclosure to make“.

16. View Your Results and File Your IR3

On this page, you will see the results of your taxable income based on the information you have given and what IRD already has on file. Click the checkbox under “Confirmation”.

If you are eligible to file a New Zealand tax return, your results will include a link to an IR3 tax return form. Complete the IR3 form and your tax refund should be in your bank account within 10 weeks (although it’s usually around two weeks). However, if you are not eligible, you will see a result similar to the one pictured below.

Click “Next” to see your final review and check another “Confirmation” box.

For more guidance on getting a NZ tax return, see How to Get Your Tax Refund in New Zealand.

What to Do if You Believe You are Eligible for a Tax Refund but Can’t Access an IR3 Form for the Tax Year

The best thing to do is to contact IRD directly. On your MyIR account, click on the “Correspondence” tab to send a message to IRD. Alternatively, you can contact them with the following details:

+64 3 951 2020 from overseas
0800 227 774 in New Zealand
You can get a nominated person to contact IRD on 0800 227 774 by sending IRD a completed Elect someone to act on your behalf form (IR 597).

Tax Refund Alternatives

If you have problems setting up a MyIR account, you want to pay to an overseas bank account, or just simply don’t want to do the whole process yourself, then there are a great deal of tax refund companies that do the job for you. We like taxback.com, as they can speak to you in your own language, have a reasonable fee which is deducted from your tax return (nothing to pay upfront), and they provide support even before you’ve started working in New Zealand.