NZ PAYE Calculator 2025-26
Enter your gross pay for one pay period and your tax code. We'll show exactly what your employer should deduct for income tax, ACC, student loan, and KiwiSaver — and what should land in your bank account.
How PAYE is calculated in New Zealand
PAYE (Pay As You Earn) is how Inland Revenue collects income tax from salary and wage earners — see our full PAYE explainer for the underlying mechanics. Your employer withholds PAYE from each pay and forwards it to IRD. The PAYE amount on your payslip combines several pieces:
- Income tax calculated on your annualised gross income using NZ's progressive brackets (10.5% / 17.5% / 30% / 33% / 39%)
- ACC earner's levy at 1.67% on income up to $152,790 per year
- Student loan repayments (12% on income above the threshold) if your tax code ends in "SL"
- KiwiSaver at your chosen rate (3% / 4% / 6% / 8% / 10%) — separate from PAYE but deducted from the same pay
Primary vs secondary tax codes
If you only have one job, you use a primary code (M, ME, M SL, or ME SL). Income tax is calculated using the progressive brackets — each dollar is taxed at the rate of the bracket it falls into.
If you have a second job, that job uses a secondary code (SB, S, SH, ST, or SA — plus "SL" if you have a student loan). Secondary codes withhold a flat rate matched to the marginal bracket your combined income falls into. This is because your primary employer has already used up your lower brackets.
NZ tax code rates (2025-26)
| Code | Use case | Rate / mechanism |
|---|---|---|
| M | Primary, no student loan | Progressive 10.5%–39% |
| ME | Primary, IETC eligible ($24k–$70k) | Progressive with $520 IETC credit |
| M SL | Primary, with student loan | Progressive + 12% over $24,128 |
| ME SL | Primary, IETC + student loan | Progressive + IETC + 12% SL |
| SB | Secondary, total income ≤$15,600 | Flat 10.5% |
| S | Secondary, total $15,601–$53,500 | Flat 17.5% |
| SH | Secondary, total $53,501–$78,100 | Flat 30% |
| ST | Secondary, total $78,101–$180,000 | Flat 33% |
| SA | Secondary, total over $180,000 | Flat 39% |
Frequently asked questions
What does PAYE stand for?
PAYE stands for Pay As You Earn. It's the income tax (and student loan, if applicable) your employer withholds from each pay and forwards to Inland Revenue (IRD) on your behalf.
Is PAYE the same as income tax?
PAYE is the mechanism by which income tax is collected from salary and wage earners. It includes income tax and the ACC earner's levy, and may also include student loan repayments if your tax code ends in 'SL'. KiwiSaver is deducted alongside PAYE but is separate.
Why is my PAYE different each pay period?
If your gross pay varies (overtime, bonuses, irregular hours), the PAYE withheld will vary too. PAYE is calculated by annualising your current pay period's gross, applying the progressive brackets, then dividing back. So a higher pay period pushes more income into a higher bracket for that period.
How is PAYE calculated on a bonus?
Bonuses use 'extra pay' rules with their own withholding rates based on your annualised income. We have a dedicated bonus tax calculator that handles this. See IRD extra pay guidance.
What if I have two jobs?
Your second job uses a secondary tax code (SB, S, SH, ST, or SA — plus 'SL' if you have a student loan). Pick the secondary code based on your TOTAL income from both jobs. The flat rate matches the marginal bracket your combined income falls into. See IRD tax codes.
How do I check my employer is deducting the right amount?
Enter your gross pay per period and your tax code into this calculator. The PAYE figure should match your payslip within a dollar or two. If it's more than a few dollars off, raise it with your payroll team — they may have your code wrong.
What happens if I'm on the wrong tax code?
You'll either over- or under-pay tax during the year. IRD performs an automatic income tax assessment after 31 March each year. Overpayment → refund; underpayment → bill. Using the right code from day one avoids surprises.
Does PAYE include KiwiSaver?
No. KiwiSaver is a separate deduction your employer takes alongside PAYE. This calculator can include it as an optional add-on so you see your true take-home.
Does PAYE include ACC?
Yes — the ACC earner's levy (1.67% in 2025-26, capped at $152,790) is collected through PAYE alongside income tax. See ACC levy rates.
When is PAYE paid to IRD?
Your employer pays PAYE to IRD by the 20th of the month following the pay period (or twice monthly for larger employers). You don't need to do anything — it's automatic.
Related Calculators
Take-Home Pay Calculator
Net pay after PAYE, ACC, KiwiSaver, and student loan. Annual, monthly, weekly, hourly.
Income Tax Calculator
NZ income tax by bracket with effective and marginal rates.
Tax Code Checker
Find your correct NZ PAYE tax code — M, ME, M SL, S, SH, ST, SA, and more.
ACC Levy Calculator
Calculate your ACC earner's levy at 1.67% up to the annual cap.
Student Loan Calculator
12% repayments on income above the annual threshold.
KiwiSaver Calculator
Employee and employer KiwiSaver contributions at 3%–10%.
Bonus Tax Calculator
Tax on a bonus: PAYE, ACC, KiwiSaver, and student loan deductions.
Minimum Wage Calculator
1 April 2026 rates converted to weekly/fortnightly/annual take-home — plus Living Wage comparison.
Sources
Rates sourced from Inland Revenue (IRD). Correct for 2024-25 and 2025-26 tax years.
Last updated April 2026. Rates sourced from IRD.