Many New Zealanders are owed a tax refund each year and do not know how to claim it. Refunds arise when you have paid more PAYE tax than your income required — this happens when you change jobs, take time off work, or use the wrong tax code. Claiming through myIR is straightforward.
Log in to myIR and check your automatic tax assessment — it will show whether you are owed a refund. If you are, confirm the assessment and ensure your bank account is registered in myIR. IRD will deposit the refund within 1–2 weeks. You can claim refunds going back 4 years. The average NZ tax refund is around $300–$500.
Why You Might Be Owed a Refund
Refunds arise when the PAYE withheld from your wages exceeds your actual tax liability:
| Situation | Why a refund arises |
|---|---|
| Changed jobs during the year | Second job used secondary tax code, overtaxing you |
| Part-year employment | Income lower than annual estimate — overtaxed early in year |
| Wrong tax code | Used M instead of ME, or wrong student loan code |
| Multiple small jobs | PAYE calculated as if each job is your only income |
| Redundancy payment | Lump sum taxed at higher rate |
| Charitable donations | 33.33% credit unclaimed |
| Independent Earner Tax Credit | IETC eligible but not claimed via ME tax code |
How to Check If You Are Owed a Refund
- Log in to myIR at ird.govt.nz
- Go to Income tax
- Check Tax assessments for the relevant tax year (1 April – 31 March)
- If IRD has issued an automatic assessment, it will show the outcome
If no assessment has been issued, you can request one or file an IR3.
Claiming Your Refund
Automatic Assessment (Most Common)
Most PAYE earners receive an automatic assessment. If it shows a refund:
- Review that all income and tax withheld are correct
- Confirm the assessment (or let it auto-confirm after the deadline)
- Ensure your bank account is registered in myIR (Profile → Bank accounts)
- Wait — refunds are typically deposited within 1–2 weeks of confirmation
Filing an IR3
If you have more complex income (self-employment, rental, overseas), file an IR3. Include all income sources and claimable deductions. If the result is a refund, IRD will process it after your return is filed.
Third-Party Tax Refund Services
Various companies (e.g., Tax Refunds NZ, taxback.com) offer to claim your tax refund for a fee (typically 5%–15% of the refund). You can do the same thing for free through myIR — avoid these unless you are overseas and cannot access myIR.
How Far Back Can You Claim?
You can claim refunds for up to 4 tax years back. In 2026, you can claim refunds for:
- 2024–25 (1 April 2024 – 31 March 2025)
- 2023–24
- 2022–23
- 2021–22
Anything older than 4 years cannot be refunded.
To claim prior years: myIR → Income tax → File a return → Select the relevant year.
Claiming Donation Tax Credits
If you donated to approved charities during the year, claim a 33.33% tax credit to boost your refund:
- A $300 donation generates a $100 tax credit
- A $1,000 donation generates a $333 tax credit
- Claim in your assessment or IR3 and attach receipts from donee organisations
Many people miss this — if you donated to any registered NZ charities, hospitals, or schools, claim it.
Refund Timeframes
| Method | Typical processing time |
|---|---|
| Automatic assessment (confirmed) | 1–2 weeks after confirmation |
| IR3 filed electronically | 2–4 weeks after IRD processes |
| Disputed or reviewed return | 4–8+ weeks |
| Prior year request (via myIR) | 2–4 weeks |
Refunds are deposited directly to your bank account registered in myIR. If no bank account is registered, IRD sends a cheque (much slower).
When You Owe Tax Instead
If your assessment shows you owe tax:
- You paid less PAYE than required (e.g., wrong tax code, untaxed income)
- The amount is due by the date shown in myIR
- Pay via myIR, bank transfer, or contact IRD to arrange a payment plan
- Use-of-money interest applies to unpaid amounts after the due date
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know what tax year I need to check?
The NZ tax year runs from 1 April to 31 March. For example, the 2024–25 tax year is 1 April 2024 – 31 March 2025. IRD typically issues assessments for the prior year between May and July.
My refund hasn’t arrived after 3 weeks. What do I do?
Check that your bank account is correctly entered in myIR (Profile → Bank accounts). If it is correct and more than 3 weeks have passed since you confirmed your assessment, contact IRD on 0800 775 247.
I used a tax refund service last year. Can I stop using them?
Yes. Cancel any automatic authority you gave them and claim directly through myIR going forward. You keep 100% of your refund.
I am working in Australia. Can I still claim a NZ tax refund?
Yes — log in to myIR online. You can claim from anywhere in the world. If you are a non-resident for tax purposes, different rules may apply.