Tax time and benefits: New Zealand.

A take-home sheet for people at the session. Other countries: United States · United Kingdom · Canada · Australia · India · Philippines.

Moraph for Good · Fluent

Tax time and benefits: New Zealand

Handout · moraph.org/commons/sessions/fluent/tax-time-and-benefits

Filing a return can be how refunds, credits and some benefits reach you. This sheet has what to keep, how to spot a scam, and the free official help where you live.

Why file

Tax taken from your pay may come back
Some credits are only paid if you file
Some benefits use your tax information

Free help first

Look for free official help before paying
Ask a paid preparer the full price first
A refund loan is a loan: ask what it costs

Keep these

Copies of every return you file
Income statements and receipts for claims
Every letter from the tax or benefit office

Scam signs

Threats of arrest over tax
Payment by gift card, crypto or payment app
A refund link sent by text or email
Go to the official site yourself to check

In New Zealand

Inland Revenue may work it out for you. The tax year runs from 1 April to 31 March. If your only income is salary, wages or investment income that’s already taxed, such as savings interest, Inland Revenue sends you an income tax assessment showing whether you’re due a refund, have a tax bill or paid the right amount.
When you need to file. The most common reason Inland Revenue asks you to file an Individual income tax return (IR3) is income it hasn’t been told about, such as rental or self-employed income, of more than $200 before tax, even for part of the year.
Tax credits. Individuals can claim some tax credits, such as for donations to approved organisations like registered charities and schools, and some earners may get the independent earner tax credit. If you’ve already paid the tax, you may get a refund at the end of the year.
Working for Families. If you’re 16 or over, the principal caregiver of a dependent child and meet the residency requirements, you may qualify for Working for Families payments, including Best Start. Inland Revenue or the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) manages the payments.
Check what Work and Income can do. Work and Income’s online guide asks you some questions and shows payments you might be able to get; it doesn’t keep your answers or use them to identify you. Work and Income may help with urgent costs or living costs even if you’re working.
Inland Revenue scams. Inland Revenue doesn’t put links or refund amounts in emails and texts; it tells you to log in to myIR. Its texts come only from 5678 or 4478. It only asks for payment through its official methods and will never ask for your password; scammers may ask to be paid in gift cards or Bitcoin.

Official places to check:

Inland Revenue: www.ird.govt.nz/income-tax/income-tax-for-individuals/what-happens-at-the-end-of-the-tax-year
Inland Revenue: www.ird.govt.nz/income-tax/income-tax-for-individuals/individual-tax-credits
Inland Revenue: www.ird.govt.nz/working-for-families
Ministry of Social Development: check.msd.govt.nz
Work and Income: www.workandincome.govt.nz/eligibility/index.html
Inland Revenue: www.ird.govt.nz/managing-my-tax/scams/signs-of-a-scam

More free official help in New Zealand: moraph.org/commons/help/financial-literacy/nz

General information, not advice about your own situation. Checked 20 October 2026. If an official source says something different, it is right. Free to copy and adapt. moraph.org/commons/sessions/fluent/tax-time-and-benefits