This page lists resources where you can find helpful information about common taxes and processes.
Library resources
- Taxation
- Books in our collection about taxation in New Zealand.
- Personal finance websites
- Links to recommended personal finance websites.
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Personal finance
- Our libraries have a great collection of New Zealand titles about managing your money, saving and making money.
- The Budget
- Our guide to information about the Government’s annual Budget which includes decisions affecting the taxes we pay.
- Dictionary of finance and banking
- Online guide with useful taxation references.
Access this with your library card number and PIN, or at our libraries. - KiwiSaver
- Our guide to information about KiwiSaver.
Some key tax terms
- GST
- Goods and services tax. This tax is part of the price we pay for everything we buy or for services we use such as doctors.
- Income Year
- The income year, also known as the tax year, or financial year, starts on 1 April and finishes on 31 March the following year.
- IRD
- Inland Revenue Department Te Tari Taake. The Government department responsible for collecting taxes and other revenue.
- IRD Number
- Each taxpayer has their own individual number for dealings with the IRD.
- PAYE
- Pay As You Earn. Your employer pays your taxes by deducting regular amounts from your pay packet.
- Tax Code
- A code assigned to you which indicates your source or sources of income. e.g one or more jobs, interest, benefit.
For more definitions of tax terms, check the IRD's Income Tax Glossary.
Finding out about tax
Get information from the IRD web site:
- Individual income tax
- Get an IRD number
- Work out what tax code you should be on
- Student loans
- KiwiSaver
- Trusts and estates
- Rental property
Who qualifies for money back?
If you earn salary or wages you will probably pay the right amount of tax. It is still worth checking though on the Inland Revenue website.
Unclaimed money
Inland Revenue provides a service for the true owners of unclaimed money which has been left untouched for six or more years in companies such as financial institutions and insurance companies. This does not include tax refunds.
Payroll giving
Payroll giving gives you the opportunity to donate to approved charitable organisations direct from your pay and receive immediate tax credits that reduce your PAYE payable. You need to check and see if your employer offers payroll giving.