Guide · Money & banking
Getting your IRD number.
Your tax number is one of the first things to sort after the bank account. Without it you're taxed at the highest rate. Here is how the application generally works. Not tax advice, just the process.
What an IRD number is
Your IRD number is your tax ID in New Zealand. You'll want one before you start work, and most banks want it too.
"IRD" stands for Inland Revenue Department, New Zealand's tax authority. The number itself is just a unique identifier that follows you through any NZ job, bank, or government interaction.
How to apply
Apply online through myIR, Inland Revenue's portal, reached from ird.govt.nz. There is no fee, and the form is quick if your documents are ready.
- Open an NZ bank account first. The application asks for an active account number, so this one has to come before the rest. See the banking guide.
- Get your identity documents together: passport, and your NZ visa details.
- Apply through myIR at ird.govt.nz. The portal walks you through each step.
- Wait for the number to be issued. Processing times are in the next section.
Documents required
As published by Inland Revenue. Verify the current list at ird.govt.nz.
- Valid passport
- Current NZ visa
- NZ bank account number
- NZ address
How long it takes
If your application is approved, Inland Revenue sends your IRD number by text or email in about 2 working days, or by post within 10 days. There is no fee. Sourced
Apply as soon as you have your NZ bank account sorted. Don't wait until you've started your job.
Tax code basics
When you start a job in NZ, your employer gives you a tax code declaration form (IR330) to fill in. The most common codes are:
- M: the code Inland Revenue lists for a main or only job.
- S: a secondary job (you already have a main job elsewhere)
- SB: a secondary job where your income from that job is under a threshold set by Inland Revenue
KiwiSaver
KiwiSaver is NZ's workplace retirement savings scheme. Most new employees are automatically enrolled when they start a job. Inland Revenue publishes an opt-out window and the conditions on it.
The basics: Sourced
- The default contribution rate is 3.5% of your gross pay, matched by your employer. It rose from 3% on 1 April 2026, and both rates rise again to 4% on 1 April 2028
- You can choose to contribute at a higher rate, or apply to Inland Revenue for a temporary reduction back to 3%
- If you qualify, the government adds 25 cents for every $1 you contribute, up to $260.72 a year. Many temporary visa holders do not qualify, so check the eligibility rules on the KiwiSaver pages at ird.govt.nz before counting on it
- Non-residents and temporary visa holders have different eligibility; check the KiwiSaver pages at ird.govt.nz for the current rules