Asked about New Zealand GST returns for self-employed individuals.
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General reference only
This Guide is general tax/accounting reference material for AI-assisted workflows. It has not been reviewed for your personal facts, documents, elections, deadlines, residency, filing status, or local procedures. Do not rely on it to file, pay, amend, or take a tax position without review by a qualified professional in the relevant jurisdiction.
Source-cited draft. This Guide is source-cited but has not been reviewed by a licensed practitioner. It may be incomplete, outdated, or wrong.
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Standard GST rate
15%Goods and Services Tax Act 1985 (GSTA 1985), s 8
Zero-rated supplies rate
0%Goods and Services Tax Act 1985 (GSTA 1985), s 11
GST tax fraction (inclusive amount at 15%)
3/23 (i.e. 15/115)Goods and Services Tax Act 1985 (GSTA 1985)
Mandatory GST registration threshold
$60,000 taxable supplies in any 12-month periodGoods and Services Tax Act 1985 (GSTA 1985), s 51
Payments basis eligibility threshold
Taxable supplies < $2,000,000Goods and Services Tax Act 1985 (GSTA 1985), s 19, 19A
Six-monthly filing eligibility threshold
Taxable supplies < $500,000Goods and Services Tax Act 1985 (GSTA 1985), s 15, 16
Monthly filing required threshold
Taxable supplies > $24,000,000Goods and Services Tax Act 1985 (GSTA 1985), s 15, 16
Tax invoice required threshold
Supplies over $50Goods and Services Tax Act 1985 (GSTA 1985), s 20, 21
GST return filing deadline (all frequencies)
28th of month after period endGoods and Services Tax Act 1985 (GSTA 1985), s 15, 16
Default accounting basis
Invoice basisGoods and Services Tax Act 1985 (GSTA 1985), s 19, 19A
Payments basis eligibility (taxable supplies upper limit)
Taxable supplies < $2MGoods and Services Tax Act 1985 (GSTA 1985), s 19, 19A
Six-monthly filing eligibility
Taxable supplies < $500,000Goods and Services Tax Act 1985 (GSTA 1985), s 15, 16
Monthly filing eligibility (mandatory threshold)
Taxable supplies > $24M or by electionGoods and Services Tax Act 1985 (GSTA 1985), s 15, 16
Two-monthly filing
Default for most businessesGoods and Services Tax Act 1985 (GSTA 1985), s 15, 16
Entertainment expense GST input tax restriction
50% restriction appliesGoods and Services Tax Act 1985 (GSTA 1985), s 20, 21
Late filing penalty per return
$250 per returnTax Administration Act 1994
Interest on unpaid GST
From original due dateTax Administration Act 1994
Mixed-use asset threshold requiring reviewer flag
$5,000Goods and Services Tax Act 1985 (GSTA 1985), s 21
Bad debt adjustment eligibility period (invoice basis)
Debt written off after 6 monthsGoods and Services Tax Act 1985 (GSTA 1985), s 26
Standard balance date
31 MarchGoods and Services Tax Act 1985 (GSTA 1985)
Going concern zero-rating condition
Both parties must be GST-registeredGoods and Services Tax Act 1985 (GSTA 1985), s 11
GST return form reference
GST101AGoods and Services Tax Act 1985 (GSTA 1985)
GST101A Box 8 formula (output tax)
(Box 5 - Box 6 - exempt supplies) x 3/23Goods and Services Tax Act 1985 (GSTA 1985), s 8
GST101A Box 9 formula (input tax)
(Box 7 - exempt purchases - private) x 3/23Goods and Services Tax Act 1985 (GSTA 1985), s 20, 21
GST101A Box 12 formula (GST to pay or refund)
Box 8 + Box 10 - Box 9 - Box 11Goods and Services Tax Act 1985 (GSTA 1985)
Quick Reference
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Country | New Zealand |
| Tax | Goods and Services Tax (GST) at 15% |
| Currency | NZD only |
| Tax year basis | Balance date (typically 31 March) |
| Primary legislation | Goods and Services Tax Act 1985 (GSTA 1985) |
| Tax authority | Inland Revenue (IR / Te Tari Taake) |
| Filing portal | myIR (myir.ird.govt.nz) |
| Filing deadline | 28th of month after period end |
| Contributor | Open Accountants Community |
| Validated by | Pending -- requires sign-off by a New Zealand chartered accountant (CA) |
| Skill version | 2.0 |
Rate Table
| Rate | Application |
|---|---|
| 15% | Standard rate on all taxable supplies |
| 0% | Zero-rated supplies (exports, going concerns, certain foodstuffs, fine metals) |
| Exempt | Financial services, residential rent, donated goods (certain conditions) |
Key Thresholds
| Item | Amount (NZD) |
|---|---|
| Mandatory GST registration | $60,000 taxable supplies in any 12-month period |
| Voluntary registration | Any person making taxable supplies |
| Payments basis eligibility | Taxable supplies < $2,000,000 |
| Six-monthly filing eligibility | Taxable supplies < $500,000 |
| Monthly filing required | Taxable supplies > $24,000,000 |
| Tax invoice required | Supplies over $50 |
Conservative Defaults
| Ambiguity | Default |
|---|---|
| GST registration status unknown | STOP -- do not compute |
| Accounting basis unknown | Invoice basis (default) |
| Supply classification unknown | Standard-rated at 15% |
| Private use proportion unknown | 0% GST recovery |
| Going concern status unknown | Not a going concern (charge GST) |
Minimum viable: Bank statement for the GST period in CSV, PDF, or pasted text, plus confirmation of GST registration status and accounting basis.
Recommended: Sales invoices, purchase invoices for any input tax claim, GST registration number.
Ideal: Complete invoice register, prior period GST return, reconciliation of carried-forward amounts.
Income Patterns (Credits)
| Pattern | Tax Line | Treatment | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIRECT CREDIT [client] / DC [client] | Taxable supply | GST-inclusive revenue | Standard client payment |
| EFTPOS SETTLEMENT / EFTPOS CREDIT | Taxable supply | Revenue | Card terminal settlement |
| INTERNET BANKING CREDIT [client] | Taxable supply | Revenue | Online bank transfer |
| STRIPE NZ / STRIPE PAYOUT | Taxable supply | Revenue (net of fees) | Stripe payout -- gross up for fees |
| SHOPIFY PAYOUT / SHOPIFY SETTLEMENT | Taxable supply | Revenue | E-commerce platform settlement |
| XERO INVOICE PAYMENT | Taxable supply | Revenue | Xero-linked payment |
| INTEREST / INT EARNED [bank] | Exempt | NOT taxable supply | Bank interest -- exempt financial service |
| DIVIDEND [company] | Exempt | NOT taxable supply | Dividend |
| IRD REFUND / TAX REFUND | EXCLUDE | Not income | Tax refund |
| LOAN DRAWDOWN | EXCLUDE | Not income | Loan proceeds |
Expense Patterns (Debits)
| Pattern | Expense Category | Treatment | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| SPARK / VODAFONE / 2DEGREES | Communications | Business portion deductible | Mixed use: apportion |
| VECTOR / MERCURY / GENESIS / CONTACT ENERGY | Utilities | Business portion deductible | Home office: apportion |
| COUNTDOWN / PAK'N SAVE / NEW WORLD | NOT business | Private | Unless entertainment or business meeting |
| BUNNINGS / MITRE 10 | Office supplies | Deductible if business | Keep receipts |
| GOOGLE ADS / META / LINKEDIN | Advertising | Fully deductible | |
| ADOBE / MICROSOFT / XERO / SLACK | Software | Fully deductible | Business subscription |
| AIR NEW ZEALAND / JETSTAR | Travel | Deductible if business | Keep itinerary |
| UBER NZ / TAXI | Travel | Deductible if business | Not commuting |
| ACC LEVY | EXCLUDE | Government levy | Not GST |
| IRD INCOME TAX / IRD PAYE | EXCLUDE | Tax payment | Not deductible |
| BANK FEE / ANZ FEE / ASB FEE / BNZ FEE / WESTPAC FEE | Exempt | No GST on bank fees | Financial service exempt |
| PERSONAL TRANSFER / OWN ACCOUNT | EXCLUDE | Drawings | Not business |
Zero-Rated Supply Indicators
| Pattern | Treatment | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| EXPORT / INTERNATIONAL FREIGHT | Zero-rated output | Goods exported from NZ |
| GOING CONCERN SALE | Zero-rated output | Both parties must be GST-registered |
| FINE METALS / GOLD BULLION | Zero-rated | Gold, silver, platinum of certain fineness |
Input: Period Jan-Feb. Total sales (incl. GST) $23,000. Total purchases (incl. GST) $8,050. All standard-rated. No adjustments.
Reasoning: Output tax: $23,000 x 3/23 = $3,000. Input tax: $8,050 x 3/23 = $1,050. Net GST payable: $3,000 - $1,050 = $1,950.
Classification: GST payable $1,950.
Input: Total sales $50,000 (all zero-rated exports). Total purchases (incl. GST) $17,250.
Reasoning: Output tax: $0 (zero-rated). Input tax: $17,250 x 3/23 = $2,250. GST refund: $2,250.
Classification: GST refund $2,250.
Input: Business dinner $460 (incl. GST).
Reasoning: GST content: $460 x 3/23 = $60. Entertainment 50% restriction applies. Claimable: 50% x $60 = $30. Non-claimable: $30.
Classification: Input tax claimable $30 only.
Input: Laptop purchased for $2,300 (incl. GST), used 70% business, 30% private.
Reasoning: GST content: $2,300 x 3/23 = $300. Claim 70%: $300 x 70% = $210.
Classification: Input tax $210. Flag for reviewer on apportionment basis.
GST101A Return Line-by-Line
| Box | Description | How to Populate |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | Total sales and income for the period | All income including GST-inclusive, zero-rated, and exempt |
| 6 | Zero-rated supplies | Exports and other 0% supplies (included in Box 5) |
| 7 | Total purchases and expenses | All purchases including GST-inclusive, zero-rated, and exempt |
| 8 | GST on sales (output tax) | (Box 5 - Box 6 - exempt supplies) x 3/23 |
| 9 | GST on purchases (input tax) | (Box 7 - exempt purchases - private) x 3/23 |
| 10 | Adjustments -- increase | Prior period corrections increasing GST payable |
| 11 | Adjustments -- decrease | Prior period corrections decreasing GST payable |
| 12 | GST to pay or refund | Box 8 + Box 10 - Box 9 - Box 11 |
Accounting Basis
| Basis | Rule | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| Invoice basis | Account for GST when invoice is issued or received | Default for all |
| Payments basis | Account for GST when payment is made or received | Taxable supplies < $2M |
| Hybrid basis | Invoice for sales, payments for purchases (or vice versa) | By application to IR |
Filing Frequency and Deadlines
| Frequency | Eligibility | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Six-monthly | Taxable supplies < $500,000 | 28th of month after period end |
| Two-monthly | Default for most businesses | 28th of month after period end |
| Monthly | Taxable supplies > $24M or by election | 28th of month after period end |
Penalties
| Offence | Penalty |
|---|---|
| Late filing | $250 per return |
| Repeated late filing | Escalating penalties |
| Interest on unpaid GST | From original due date |
NZ GST WORKING PAPER
Taxpayer: _______________ IRD Number: ___________
GST Number: ___________
Period: ___________ Basis: Invoice / Payments
Filing Frequency: Monthly / 2-Monthly / 6-Monthly
A. TOTAL SALES (Box 5)
A1. Standard-rated sales (incl. GST) ___________
A2. Zero-rated sales ___________
A3. Exempt sales ___________
A4. Total sales (A1 + A2 + A3) ___________
B. ZERO-RATED SUPPLIES (Box 6) ___________
C. TOTAL PURCHASES (Box 7)
C1. Standard-rated purchases (incl. GST) ___________
C2. Zero-rated purchases ___________
C3. Exempt purchases ___________
C4. Total purchases ___________
D. OUTPUT TAX (Box 8)
(A4 - B - exempt) x 3/23 ___________
E. INPUT TAX (Box 9)
(C4 - exempt - private) x 3/23 ___________
F. ADJUSTMENTS
F1. Increase (Box 10) ___________
F2. Decrease (Box 11) ___________
G. GST PAYABLE / REFUND (Box 12)
D + F1 - E - F2 ___________
REVIEWER FLAGS:
[ ] Registration status confirmed?
[ ] Accounting basis confirmed?
[ ] Entertainment 50% restriction applied?
[ ] Private use apportionment applied?
[ ] Tax invoices held for all input claims?
NZ Bank Statement Formats
| Bank | Format | Key Fields |
|---|---|---|
| ANZ NZ | CSV / PDF | Date, Description, Amount, Balance |
| ASB | CSV | Date, Unique Id, Tran Type, Cheque Number, Payee, Memo, Amount |
| BNZ | CSV | Date, Description, Debit, Credit, Balance |
| Westpac NZ | CSV | Date, Description, Debit, Credit, Balance |
| Kiwibank | CSV | Date, Description, Amount, Balance |
| TSB | CSV | Date, Details, Debit, Credit, Balance |
Key NZ Banking Narrations
| Narration | Meaning | Classification Hint |
|---|---|---|
| D/C or DIRECT CREDIT | Bank transfer in | Potential income |
| AP or AUTOPAY | Automatic payment out | Regular expense |
| EFTPOS | Card terminal payment | Expense or income |
| TFR / TRANSFER | Internal transfer | Investigate -- may be drawings |
| DD / DIRECT DEBIT | Direct debit | Regular expense |
| IRD / INLAND REVENUE | Tax payment or refund | Exclude |
| ACC | ACC levy | Exclude from GST |
If the client provides a bank statement but cannot answer onboarding questions immediately:
Present these questions:
ONBOARDING QUESTIONS -- NZ GST RETURN
1. Are you GST-registered? If so, what is your GST number?
2. What is your filing frequency (monthly, 2-monthly, 6-monthly)?
3. Are you on invoice basis or payments (cash) basis?
4. What is your balance date?
5. Do you make any zero-rated supplies (exports)?
6. Do you make any exempt supplies (financial services, residential rent)?
7. Do you use a vehicle for business? What percentage is business use?
8. Do you work from home? What percentage is business use?
Key Legislation
| Topic | Section |
|---|---|
| Imposition of GST | GSTA 1985, s 8 |
| Zero-rated supplies | GSTA 1985, s 11 |
| Exempt supplies | GSTA 1985, s 14 |
| Registration | GSTA 1985, s 51 |
| Accounting basis | GSTA 1985, s 19, 19A |
| Input tax | GSTA 1985, s 20, 21 |
| Filing periods | GSTA 1985, s 15, 16 |
| Bad debts | GSTA 1985, s 26 |
Changelog
| Version | Date | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2.0 | April 2026 | Full rewrite to v2.0 structure; NZ bank formats; local platform patterns; worked examples |
| 1.0 | 2025 | Initial version |
This skill and its outputs are provided for informational and computational purposes only and do not constitute tax, legal, or financial advice. Open Accountants and its contributors accept no liability for any errors, omissions, or outcomes arising from the use of this skill. All outputs must be reviewed and signed off by a qualified professional (such as a New Zealand Chartered Accountant or equivalent licensed practitioner) before filing or acting upon.
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Other New Zealand computations in the OpenAccountants Tax Library.
Rendered from the facts database. General reference only — confirm with a qualified professional before acting.
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