NZ Depreciation Rate Finder
Search 112 of the most common IRD asset classes from the IR265 guide — diminishing value (DV) and straight line (SL) rates plus estimated useful life. Pick an asset, then calculate the year-by-year schedule.
1. Find the closest IRD asset class
Type the asset name, compare DV and SL, then send the rate to the depreciation schedule.
Tablet computers and smartphones (incl. electronic media storage devices)
Applies from 2013/14 and subsequent income years
Useful life
3 yrs
DV rate
67%
SL rate
67%
| Asset | Useful life | DV rate | SL rate | Calculate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laptop computers | 4 yrs | 50% | 40% | Use rate |
| Notebook computers | 4 yrs | 50% | 40% | Use rate |
| Personal computers (desktops) | 4 yrs | 50% | 40% | Use rate |
| Tablet computers and smartphones (incl. electronic media storage devices)Applies from 2013/14 and subsequent income years | 3 yrs | 67% | 67% | Use rate |
| Computer equipment (default class) | 4 yrs | 50% | 40% | Use rate |
| Software (purchased / right to use) | 4 yrs | 50% | 40% | Use rate |
| Network servers | 4 yrs | 50% | 40% | Use rate |
| Routers | 4 yrs | 50% | 40% | Use rate |
| Modems | 4 yrs | 50% | 40% | Use rate |
| Scanners | 4 yrs | 50% | 40% | Use rate |
| Printers | 5 yrs | 40% | 30% | Use rate |
| EFTPOS terminals | 4 yrs | 50% | 40% | Use rate |
How to Use the Rate You Find
1. Match the asset class. Pick the most specific description that fits your asset. A laptop, an EFTPOS terminal and a server are different classes with different rates, even though all feel like "computers". If two classes could fit, the more specific one usually wins.
2. Check the $1,000 write-off and Investment Boost first. An asset costing $1,000 or less can usually be deducted immediately. For an eligible new asset first available for use on or after 22 May 2025, Investment Boost may let you deduct 20% first and depreciate the remaining 80%.
3. Compare DV and SL. Diminishing value applies the rate to adjusted tax value; straight line applies its rate to cost. IRD lets you use different methods for different assets and change method at the end of an income year, using adjusted tax value when you switch.
4. Run the schedule. Use the depreciation calculator to see the year-by-year claim for your asset cost, business-use percentage and method — the "Use rate" link on each row pre-fills the rates for you.
Keep evidence: retain the asset invoice, the date it became available for use, its business-use records and the IRD class you selected. Investment Boost claims also need evidence that the asset was new or new to New Zealand.
Quick Reference: Frequently Searched Rates
| Asset | DV | SL | Useful life |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laptop / desktop computers | 50% | 40% | 4 yrs |
| Smartphones and tablets | 67% | 67% | 3 yrs |
| Cars (up to 12 seats) | 30% | 21% | 5 yrs |
| Utes and vans (up to 3.5 tonnes) | 20% | 13.5% | 10 yrs |
| Office furniture (default) | 16% | 10.5% | 12.5 yrs |
| Heat pumps (rental property) | 20% | 13.5% | 10 yrs |
| Carpet (rental property) | 25% | 17.5% | 8 yrs |
| Hand and power tools | 67% | 67% | 3 yrs |
| Buildings (50+ year life) | 0% | 0% | from 2025 income year |
Looking for IRD's official depreciation rate finder?
It lives here: IRD — claiming depreciation and the rate finder. It is the authoritative tool and covers every asset class in the determination. The two tools answer the same question differently:
| IRD's finder | This page | |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage | Every asset class, all industries | 112 most-searched classes |
| How you search | Pick an industry category, then drill down | Type the asset name |
| DV and SL rates | Shown per result | Side by side, plus useful life |
| Year-by-year schedule | Separate calculator | One click, rates pre-filled |
For specialised industry assets (farming, forestry, manufacturing, medical) go to IRD's finder or the full IR265 PDF below — this page deliberately does not reproduce the whole determination. Our guide to using the Depreciation Rate Finder explains DV vs SL and the low-value write-off in more depth.
Bought a new asset? Check IRD's Investment Boost rules before using the schedule. The 20% deduction does not change the IR265 rate; it changes the amount left to depreciate.
Frequently asked questions
Where do NZ depreciation rates come from?
Inland Revenue sets a general depreciation rate for almost every asset class by determination, published in the IR265 guide (General depreciation rates). You don't invent a rate — you use the one IRD has set for the asset class that best matches your asset. This finder covers the most commonly searched classes from the March 2026 IR265.
What is the depreciation rate for a laptop or computer in NZ?
Laptops, notebooks and desktop computers have an estimated useful life of 4 years, with a 50% diminishing value (DV) rate or 40% straight line (SL) rate. Tablets and smartphones depreciate faster: 3-year useful life at 67% DV or SL.
What is the depreciation rate for a vehicle in NZ?
Cars for transporting people (up to 12 seats) have a 5-year estimated useful life with a 30% DV or 21% SL rate (residual value estimated at 25%). Utes and vans up to 3.5 tonnes (class NA) use 20% DV or 13.5% SL over 10 years. Motorcycles use 30% DV or 21% SL.
Can I still depreciate buildings in New Zealand?
No. All buildings with an estimated useful life of 50 years or more have a 0% depreciation rate from the 2025 income year — Budget 2024 removed commercial and industrial building depreciation. Building fit-out recorded separately can still be depreciated (default class 10% DV / 7% SL), and buildings remain in the tax base for depreciation recovery on sale.
What if my asset costs $1,000 or less?
Assets costing $1,000 or less (GST-exclusive if you're GST registered) can be deducted in full in the year of purchase under the low-value asset write-off — no depreciation schedule needed. Don't split one asset into parts to get under the threshold; IRD treats items bought together that function as one asset as a single asset.
Should I use the DV or SL rate?
Diminishing value (DV) applies the rate to the adjusted tax value, so deductions usually start higher and reduce over time. Straight line (SL) applies the rate to the asset's cost, giving a steadier deduction. IRD allows different methods for different assets and lets you change method at the end of an income year, using the asset's adjusted tax value for the next calculation.
Does Investment Boost change the depreciation rate?
No. For an eligible new asset first available for use on or after 22 May 2025, Investment Boost gives a 20% deduction first. You then apply the normal IRD DV or SL rate to the remaining 80% of the cost. Eligibility depends on the asset being new or new to New Zealand and depreciable for tax purposes; second-hand NZ assets and residential rental buildings are excluded.
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