Tax Refunds - Claim Yours For FREE with the IRD's myIR website

Updated 5 January 2019
TLDR Summary of Tax Refunds
  • The IRD has upgraded its online systems to make requesting a tax refund very easy, meaning you don't need a tax refund company to do this for you.  This guide outlines a selection of screenshots to highlight what is involved (spoiler: you just have to click a few boxes). 
  • Every year, tax refunds are calculated in May and June and then paid in July directly to bank accounts.
  • The IRD's marketing suggests that the only people eligible for a tax refund are those "working part time", "had more than one employer" or "earned less than $48,000". This isn't strictly true - many factors contribute to being eligible for a tax refund and we've outlined them in detail. Even if you historically have received close to $0, it's still worthwhile seeing if you have a tax refund due this year. 
  • Best of all, anyone who has given a donation to a registered charity can claim a tax refund, and getting it is very easy. 
  • Tax refund companies charge up to 20% of your refund amount in fees (and in some cases more); we can't see any need for them given the IRD's user-friendly process. 
  • If you have any doubts about whether or not you need to use a tax refund company, watch this Fair Go video which outlines the risks and fees involved - it makes for an interesting watch.  
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Our Guide Covers:
Tax Refunds - Important Dates
​Tax Refunds - 6 Must Knows
​MAXIMIZE your Tax Refund with 2 Generous IRD tax credits - donations and independent earners 
Getting Your $$$ - IRD's Easy Tax Refund Process
Avoid Tax Refund Agents Before They Sting You
Already have a Tax Refund Agent? Dump them, it takes less than one minute
Busting Tax Refund Myths
Common Tax Refund Questions...and Answers
Our Guide
Every April, taxpayers around New Zealand get notified by the IRD that tax refund time is approaching. And it is no coincidence that “tax agents” and “tax refund experts” come out of the woodwork (or wherever tax refund agencies live) and start advertising heavily around that time too.

But here is the good news: we don't believe you need to hire anyone to get your tax refund. Ever. 

The IRD makes applying for a tax refund painless and actually getting the money is very easy.  

If you meet the criteria, you can organise your own tax refund in very little time. We’ve outlined the process below, offered some useful tips, FAQs and busted some myths and rumours to get you familiar with what is a very simple process. 

"Where is my tax refund?" is a common question the Inland Revenue hears after every tax year. We've put together this Tax Refunds guide to explain how easy it is to apply for tax refunds and get them paid into your bank account.  
tax refund ird easy ir3
Forget paper, pens, tax agent fees and calculators, the IRD's myIR makes getting a tax refund easy

Tax Refunds - Important Dates

You can apply for a tax refund whenever you want, but most people want to get it as soon as possible after the tax year finishes (every 31st of March). The dates are 
  • Mid April: Eligibility check.
  • From April to May: The IRD collects your income information from your employer(s)
  • May to June: The IRD calculates if you’re due a tax refund for the last year and asks for you to confirm the amount. 
  • July: Your tax refund will be paid

Important - You Must Complete the Steps to Get a Refund
  1. A tax refund is not automatically sent to you. 
  2. You MUST complete ALL steps of the IRD's process to be eligible for any tax refund.
  3. Every year, up to $200m goes "unclaimed" by individuals who do not follow the process. That's 
  4. Even if you received a tax refund last year, you must repeat the process this year to be paid out any refund. 
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Tax Refunds - 6 Things to Know

The IRD does its best to make tax refunds EASY

We wanted to outline this first to get the information out there. The IRD has come a long way in trying to make the process easier for individual New Zealanders. If you are a salaried employee and have uncomplicated financial affairs, you may never (or rarely) deal with the IRD. But when it comes to requesting a tax refund assessment, the process is done online and follows a standard procedure.

The IRD released two guidance videos in early 2018 to outline the process; we've included these below to illustrate their efforts and demystify the the tax refund process. You can watch all of them in less than 5 minutes and gain a lot of confidence in doing your tax refund claim yourself.

Are you entitled to a tax refund? Read on...

Many people are entitled to a tax refund but they may not realize it. People who should consider seeking a tax refund include:
  • School children with after school jobs
  • Temporary employees only working a few months a year
  • Low wage earners
  • People with two or more jobs
  • People who changed jobs in the year (i.e. had more than one employer)
  • People who stopped working and went overseas for part of the year 
  • People who have investments which earn interest and/or dividends.
  • People who worked for part of the year
  • People who received a lump sum payment (such as a bonus or redundancy)
  • People who paid donations
  • People who have tax-deductible expenses to claim
  • People who were entitled to the independent earner tax credit but didn’t claim all of it during the tax year.

The IRD states that "most beneficiaries, salary and wage earners will have paid the right amount of tax and won't be eligible for a refund" but it is a quick task to make sure with myIR and chances are you will be entitled to a refund if you are one of the people mentioned in the list above. 
As one MoneyHub reader emailed us: "I've submitted tax returns for my children ever since they had their first part-time job in school. They have always received a small refund - which is big to them, given their hourly wage. Now it's much easier with the tax refund tool online. As such, I encourage everyone to make the effort and apply for a tax refund". - Iain, Nelson
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It is worth proceeding, however small the refund

Tax refunds are free money. It may be obvious, but let's make it clear - the IRD doesn't charge you to make a claim, nor does it penalize you in any way or form in another tax year.​ Even if you are to receive a refund of $20, it's important to proceed with the refund. Don't put it in the "I can't be bothered" basket.

Completing the tax refund process will make you more comfortable with the process and build up a history with the IRD. And above all that, it's money owed to you, so you should absolutely collect on it. 

Looking at getting a "tax agent" to do your refund? Read on...

Tax refund companies are everywhere now. But what they do isn't anything more than the IRD believes you can do yourself. What they do is fairly basic - they assess the tax paid and see if you're owed a refund. They then pay you that refund less their fee. What is important to know is that these companies usually become your "tax agent" meaning they manage your tax affairs on your behalf. This gives them the right to charge you fees accordingly. 

Our view
  • We don't believe you need one. Ever. The fees charged would suggest what they do is complicated and skilled, but it's not. The IRD makes it easy for you, and you can call them for free if you need help. 
  • There have been numerous media reports about everyday Kiwis losing around 20% of their refund in fees, which they are not too happy about. 
  • Our tax refund agents overview below provides further details. Fair Go has reported on one company as well - click here to watch the story.  
  • Tax refund agents are automatically assigned as your tax refund agent in years to come, which means they will continue to claim your refunds, receive your money and charge a fee before paying you the rest. If you have a tax refund agent and want to break free, we cover this in the next point. 
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Already have a "tax agent" and want to get back control of your tax affairs? It's easy

If you've previously signed up to companies such as MyTaxRefund, KiwiTaxRefund and Woohoo, they will automatically be appointed as your tax agent. This means the IRD will pay them any money you are owed, and after they take off their fees and charges, they'll pass the remainder to you.

You can easily get back control in three easy steps:

1. Log in to myIR and REMOVE your tax refund company. 
It takes less than one minute. Go to My Details > My Tax Agent. If you have a tax agent listed, this is where you'll see it. You can remove it using secure mail. Secure Mail is under the "Tools" section on the first page you see when you login to the IRD website.  

If you prefer to do it over the phone, contact the IRD and request that you would like to be de-linked from your tax refund company, also known as a PTSI (personal tax summary intermediary). The IRD will then cancel the company's association with you and make you the primary contact for your tax affairs. 

2. Double check that the IRD has your correct bank account number 
You need to receive your refund without any hassles. Problems arise when you set yourself as your own tax agent per the above steps, but the tax refund company's bank account stays on your details, meaning THEY get your money and you then have to deal with them and pay their fees even after you've cancelled your agreement. 

You can easily navigate to your bank details within myIR and submit any changes you need to make. 

3. Call your tax refund company and tell them you have removed them as your tax agent. 
They cannot do anything once you've removed their name from your IRD tax details, but this is a useful step in case things get nasty. If the tax agent has already advised you of your expected refund or prepared your tax details, you will probably have to pay their fee per the agreement, but it's worth checking and asking for a refund on any fees paid. 

If you want to get everything writing to be sure there is no dispute later, you can send an email and keep a copy of that email. 

Once the above three steps are completed, you can be assured your tax refunds will always be deposited in your bank account and you won't lose any of the money on fees and charges. 

Boost your tax refund with two tax credits

1. Have you given donations to any registered charities? If the answer is YES, you can be refunded 33.33% of your donation with the charity donations tax credit. For example, if you donated $100 to the SPCA, the IRD will refund you $33.33. There are some minor restrictions, but the IRD's Donation guide makes it clear as to what you need to do to get your money back. 

2. Are you single, employed and earning up to $48,000? If the answer is yes, you are entitled to the Independent earner tax credit (IETC). Per the IRD, the Independent earner tax credit (IETC) is an "entitlement for individuals who earn between $24,000 and $48,000 (after expenses and losses) a year". It is an alternative to the Working for Families Tax Credits which single people without children wouldn't receive.  

How much can I get?
It depends on your earnings bracket:
  • $24,000 to $44,000 - you'll get $10 per week ($520 a year)
  • $44,001 to $48,000 - your entitlement will reduce by 13 cents for every dollar you earn over $44,000.

If you've already been paid your entitlement, then you don't need to do anything. However, if you haven't received it, you can claim your full IETC entitlement when you request your personal tax summary (PTS) from myIR. You just need to tell the IRD that you're entitled to IETC. 

How does IETC work?
  • Quite simply, your IETC entitlement reduces the tax you needed to pay for the year
  • If you qualify for IETC and haven't received it, then by default you will have paid too much tax
  • Overpaying tax leads to a tax refund and the IRD has more details in their IETC guide. 

OK, I'm going to do it! How do I get my refund, and how much will I get?

In short, it's very easy. We outline the IRD's three step process below, which will leave you smiling for the first time when it comes to taxes. The entire process won't take more than an hour at the most if your tax affairs are normal, which is the case for most people. 

Tax Refunds: Follow the IRD's 3 Step Process

Step 1  - Register with myIR (from mid April onwards)
  • Register with MyIR if you haven't already.
  • No numbers or calculations are required.
myir tax refund screener
Even if none of the options are applicable, you can still register for myIR and calculate any tax refund due to you.
Step 2  - Check the calculator to see if you're due a refund, and if so, request a Personal Tax Summary (PTS)- from mid May onwards
  • Log in using myIR and use the IRD's calculator - it's a no-obligation check and the information is NOT passed on to the IRD. If you have tax credits and/or have made donations, this is where you submit the details. 
  • Financial details are required for the calculation - you will prompted to enter what is needed to calculate any tax refund.
  •  If the calculator suggests you are due a refund, you can request a PTS
  • All information is submitted to the IRD once you request a PTS.  
  • Want to know more about what a PTS is? Read the IRD's guide to PTS here. 
tax refund myIR
myIR requires you to select the tax year and calculate any refund owed. No information is shared with the IRD.
tax refund PTS IRD
If you have calculated a tax refund, you request for a PTS is sent to the IRD. They will prepare it and make it available for you to check from mid June.
Step 3  - Check your PTS and confirm your refund (from mid June onwards)
  • Log in using myIR and your PTS will be displayed. 
  • You will need to check each part of your PTS, as well as making sure your bank details are correct for your refund. 
  • Refunds are paid within 5 workings days of your confirmation.

Tax Refunds: Busting some Myths

We see and hear a lot when it comes to tax refunds. For this reason, we've busted some myths below about tax refunds. If in doubt, always search the IRD website first and if you still need help, contact the IRD. They will clarify anything you are unsure about. 
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Myth: The IRD takes FOREVER to issue a refund

Reality: Any refund will be paid in July if you have submitted the correct information. The IRD works best when you play your part and help it out.
  1. Firstly, complete your tax refund online using myIR and make sure all of your details are correct. This makes it easy for their team to assess your information and process your tax refund without needing to ask for any more information.  
  2. Secondly, ask the IRD to deposit your money into a bank account. Check your bank account details are correct. This will avoid any errors later on. Following these tips will ensure your IRD tax refund is processed without any delays. 
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​Myth: There’s no way to monitor what is happening with your tax refund until it gets paid

Reality: The IRD takes April and May to fully calculate your tax position, and provides timing details. In almost all cases, the tax refund is paid in July. 
 
According to the IRD website:
“If you are due a refund, this will be ready in June 2018” and “we’ll keep you updated by sending text updates along the way; we’ll also let you know when it’s time to update your other income and expense details if you have any, for example income from interest and dividends, or income protection insurance premiums”.

The IRD’s work is to make sure your tax details are complete. If you have overpaid income tax on interest and/or dividends from investments, the IRD is committed to calculating the over-payment and returning it to you.
  • From April to May: The IRD collects your income information from your employer(s)
  • May to June: The IRD calculates if you’re due a tax refund for the last year
  • July: Tax refund payment month
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​Myth: A third party tax agent will get me a bigger tax refund than if I do it myself

Reality: In most cases, this is not the case at all.
 
For most individuals, what a tax agent will claim on your behalf is exactly the same as what you can claim from the IRD yourself. This means there is no advantage in terms of bigger refunds, and you will need to pay a commission or fee to the agent which means you’ll ultimately end up with less money. Unless you run your own business and/or have your own tax accountant, whereby in some cases they will handle your tax affairs and expense claims, there is no financial advantage whatsoever in using a tax agent.  
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Tax Agents - What You Need to Know

Who are they and how do they make money?
For over ten years, tax refund companies have been advertising their services with a "no refund, no fee" marketing ploy. It may sound enticing, but the fees can be hefty for the work they actually do, given you can do it yourself in a matter of minutes. Fair Go also reported on this recently - click here to watch the story.  

The companies offer a range of incentives but the truth behind their "no refund, no fee" service is best found in the Facebook reviews from their existing customers. The common gripe is the deduction of a fair portion of refunds they process. 

We believe the IRD has come a long way in the last two years in making tax refunds accessible to regular New Zealanders. Even claiming for non-standard tax credits and donations is simple and we believe it is fairly reasonable to say that anyone who can operate a computer would be fine to follow the IRD's tax refund process. 

If I want to use a tax refund company, what do I need to do?
To hire a tax refund company, you fill in a form on the company's website, supply a proof of ID, give your IRD number and answer a few questions. Once that is done, the company becomes your tax agent. It can access your tax records to calculate tax refunds and lodge them with the IRD. Any refunds you receive will go straight to the company. They'll deduct their fees and pass the rest on to you. 

We've outlined the fees and/or commissions charged by various tax refund companies. Please note, because we are of the opinion that the IRD process is just as easy and avoids paying money to third parties, we have not linked to their websites. 
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Commission/Fee:
  • Using the Website: 15% of tax refunded (minimum $17.99, maximum $399)
  • Using the ​App: 12% of tax refunded (minimum $17.99, maximum $299)
  • Donations fee (additional charge): 15% of refund (minimum/maximum charge $35/$500)
    IR3 tax return filing: $99 + 15% of any refund value
Other fees:
  • Initial ID verification: $3 
Commission/Fee:
  • $5 for any refunds $50 or below
  • Refunds > $50 incur a 18% fee
  • Donations:  An IR3 form needs to be completed, and the company charges an additional $39 + GST fee for this. 
  • No ID verification fee is charged
Commission/Fee:
  • ​Using the Website: 19.5% of tax refunded (minimum fee of $19 and maximum fee of $400)
  • Using the ​App: 14% of tax refunded up to a maximum fee of $300
  • Donations fee: $25 
Other fees:
  • Woohoo charges $25 for any "unexpected" payments that IRD makes to you - this can include overpaying student loan repayments or receiving Working for Families tax credits.
  • No ID verification fee is charged

Tax Refunds - Frequently Asked Questions

You may still have questions; we have answered a few common concerns below. 

What happens if I calculate my refund and it says that I OWE the IRD money?

Answer: In summary, nothing unless you want to pay up. The IRD’s process lets you use their online calculator to see what money you are due back from the IRD or, alternatively, what money you owe. And you will be shown either number BEFORE you decide to submit your personal tax assessment. 

​If the calculator tells you that you owe the IRD money, you are under no obligation to go any further. It’s common for Kiwis to just close down the browser and think nothing more of it. The underpaid tax will not affect your tax refund in the next tax year either – there are no carry overs. You can get a clean slate as the IRD’s assessment only looks at the most recent tax year.

Before you get nervous, the IRD is reasonably accurate when it comes to calculating income tax and instances of individuals owing the IRD money are far less common than instances of tax refunds being available. 

I just did the steps as outlined above and it confirmed I’m getting a $1,000 tax refund. As I only pay tax with PAYE, I’m curious to know how has this happened?

Answer: A tax refund can happen due to one or many factors. For example, did you take a break during the year, go overseas for an extended period, change jobs and/or work more hours than you planned to? These can be just some of the reasons.

​While a sizeable refund may seem as unusual as it is appreciated, the IRD is the ultimate authority and knows more than any Payroll officer or accounts person at your employer. Their calculation of whether you’ve paid too much or too little tax is the only thing that matters. 

My tax assessment says I am due nothing, do I need to do anything else?

Answer: PAYE is fairly accurate if you have been in stable employment and have not had a pay rise or experienced any irregularities. If you had a regular pay period (week, fortnight, month) for the same amount for the whole year (April 1st to March 31st) then you will have a lower likelihood of a tax refund. 
 
The more you deviate from the situation above, the larger the possibility of being due a tax refund.  For example, not working for half of the year, going on maternity leave (see below) or taking a second job for part of the year all increase your likelihood of a tax refund.
​

I went on maternity leave within the tax year. Am I due a refund and is it easy to do?

Answer: Most probably, yes. PAYE would have been paid all year based on the full year salary despite not working for a full year. Even if you’ve claimed benefits from WINZ, the IRD will have a record of everything and ultimately a tax refund is more than likely. With myIR you’ll be able to register, log in and follow the simple process that calculates your refund due. Every year, women on maternity leave receive some of the most sizeable tax refunds.
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I’ve been told that if I calculate my tax refund incorrectly it is a crime and that I can go to jail – is this true?

Answer: MoneyHub has read reports of conversations between tax refund agents and their customers. Most are honest, but some are not and have been reported to scare customers into retaining their services. You are under no legal obligation to apply for a tax refund. If you don't want to do the simple process with the IRD, you can simply not apply for a refund and there is certainly no law against it. 
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Tax Refunds: Conclusion

  • If we didn't make it clear, it's really simple to get a tax refund yourself without the assistance of any company. 
  • Being entitled to a tax refund depends on your employment history throughout the year. 
  • Any tax refund will be boosted by donations you've made to charities and by claiming the Independent earner tax credit (if applicable). 
  • If you already have a tax refund agent and feel confident that you can follow the easy process as outlined above then, it's a great idea to take the plunge and remove them - you'll save money as soon as you do. 
  • If you have any questions, contact the IRD either by phone or using "secure mail" on the myIR website.