NZ Tax Year: Key Dates and Deadlines
New Zealand's tax year runs from 1 April to 31 March. Here are all the key dates, filing deadlines, and important tax events for individuals and businesses.
Published 1 March 2026
New Zealand’s tax year (income year) runs from 1 April to 31 March — not the calendar year. This affects when you file returns, pay tax, and when new rates take effect.
Key Dates for Individuals
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 31 March | End of tax year |
| 1 April | Start of new tax year / new rates apply |
| May–July | IRD issues automatic tax assessments |
| 7 July | Deadline for individual income tax returns (IR3) |
| 7 February | Provisional tax instalments (some taxpayers) |
| 7 June | Provisional tax instalments (most taxpayers) |
| 7 October | Third provisional tax instalment |
Key Dates for Businesses
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 28th of following month | GST return due (two-monthly filers) |
| Monthly | Employer PAYE/deductions due |
| 7 April | Terminal tax due (standard extension) |
Tax Assessment Process
After 31 March, IRD processes all employee PAYE information submitted by employers. By around May–July, most employees receive an automatic tax assessment showing:
- Total income received
- Total tax paid via PAYE
- Any refund owed or tax to pay
If you agree with the assessment, no action is needed. If you disagree (e.g. you have additional income or expenses), you can file an IR3 or dispute the assessment through myIR.
Who Needs to File an IR3?
You must file an IR3 individual income tax return if you have:
- Self-employment income
- Significant rental income
- Overseas income
- Income from a partnership or trust
- Residual income tax over $5,000 (provisional taxpayer)
Changing Tax Year
Most individuals and businesses use the standard 31 March tax year. Businesses can apply to IRD for a different balance date (e.g. 30 June or 31 December) if there’s a sound commercial reason.
Setting Up Automatic Payments
If you’re a provisional taxpayer, consider setting up automatic payments to IRD to avoid penalties for late payment.