Find the money you can keep
What can I claim in New Zealand?
New Zealand money most people never claim back from Inland Revenue. Each card: what it is worth, and the form it goes on.
6 claims for New Zealand. Deadlines are for the 2025/26 tax year, which ends 31 March.
Donation tax credits
Worth: 33.33% back on every receipted donation
Who can claim: You donated to an approved donee organisation and kept the receipt.
How to claim
- Gather donation receipts, which show the charity's donee status.
- Claim in myIR or on form IR526.
- You can claim for any of the last four tax years.
Forms
- IR526Tax credit claim for donationsGoes to: myIR or post to Inland Revenue
Have ready: Donation receipts, Your IRD number
Deadline: Claims stay open for four years
KiwiSaver government contribution
Worth: Up to 260.72 a year from the government
Who can claim: You are 18 to 65, enrolled in KiwiSaver and mainly living in New Zealand.
How to claim
- Check contributions for the year to 30 June in myIR.
- Top up to 1,042.86 before 30 June.
- Self employed people can pay directly to their scheme.
Forms
- No formYour scheme provider claims it for youGoes to: Nothing to file
Have ready: KiwiSaver statement, myIR contribution total
Deadline: 30 June each year
Self employed expenses
Worth: Your marginal rate on every real cost of earning the income
Who can claim: You earned self employed income and paid the costs yourself.
How to claim
- Use the square metre rate for your home office.
- Keep a vehicle logbook for the business share of car costs.
- Enter totals in the business income section of the IR3.
Forms
- IR3, business incomeSelf employed income and expensesGoes to: myIR
Have ready: Receipts, Vehicle logbook, Home floor area, Bank statements
Deadline: 7 July 2026, or later with a tax agent
Rental property costs
Worth: Rates, insurance, repairs, management and, from 1 April 2025, all of your interest
Who can claim: The property was rented or genuinely available for rent.
How to claim
- Split repairs from improvements.
- Claim 100% of interest for the 2025/26 year.
- File the rental income section of your IR3.
Forms
- IR3, rental incomeRental income and expensesGoes to: myIR
Have ready: Interest statements, Rates bills, Insurance, Repair invoices
Deadline: 7 July 2026
Bright-line and property sales
Worth: The whole gain is usually tax free once you are past 2 years
Who can claim: You are selling residential land that is not your main home.
How to claim
- Find your bright-line start date before you list.
- Check the main home exclusion covers your situation.
- Report any taxable sale on the IR3 with the property details.
Forms
- IR833Property sale informationGoes to: Filed with your IR3
Have ready: Sale and purchase agreements, Settlement statements, Improvement receipts
Deadline: With the return for the year of sale
Working for Families
Worth: Weekly tax credits that abate as family income rises
Who can claim: You have dependent children and work the required hours, and family income is under the limits.
How to claim
- Estimate combined family income in myIR.
- Update the estimate whenever income changes.
- Square up after 31 March.
Forms
- Working for Families registrationCredits for families with childrenGoes to: myIR
Have ready: Both partners' income estimates, Children's details
Deadline: Update whenever income changes