New Zealand Tax & Filing Deadlines

The annual income tax return for New Zealand companies. It reconciles accounting profit to taxable income, accounting for non-deductible items (50% entertainment, depreciation differences) and IRD-schedule depreciation. The imputation credit account return (IR4J) must also be filed if dividends were paid or imputation credits exist.

Provisional tax is the mechanism by which income tax is paid during the income year rather than as a lump sum after filing. It applies where the prior year's residual income tax (RIT) exceeded NZD 5,000. Three equal instalments are due across the year using the standard method: each equal to one-third of 105% of the prior year's RIT.

GST-registered businesses must file a return for each period showing total sales (output tax at 15%), purchases (input tax claimed), and the net amount payable or refundable. The two-monthly filing cycle is the default with six periods per year. The reverse-charge GST rule applies to imported digital services from offshore providers.

All employers must file employment information (EI) with IRD within 2 working days of each payday. The EI records each employee's gross earnings, PAYE deducted, KiwiSaver employee and employer contributions (subject to ESCT), student loan deductions, and child support deductions for that pay run. The actual payment of deductions is a separate monthly obligation.

Every registered New Zealand company must file an annual return with the Companies Office confirming its details are current: company name, registered office address, directors' names and addresses, shareholding structure, and share allotments. Each company is assigned a specific month at incorporation. Failure to file results in the company being struck off the register, which can trigger deemed disposal of assets and other tax consequences.

FBT returns report and pay the tax on non-cash benefits provided to employees: company vehicles available for private use, low-interest loans, employer-subsidised insurance, and other fringe benefits. Employers can elect annual or quarterly filing. Most SMEs file quarterly unless their annual FBT liability qualifies them for annual filing.

Terminal tax is the final income tax payment for the year, representing the difference between the total tax assessed in the IR4 return and provisional tax already paid. It is due after the income year has ended and the return has been filed. If provisional tax exceeds the final assessment, IRD issues a refund.