New Zealand tax rates 2026–27

The rates, thresholds and credits every figure on this site's New Zealand pages is worked out from, each with the document it comes from.

Income tax

Income tax rates for individuals

Income for the year	Rate
$1 to $15,600	10.5%
$15,601 to $53,500	17.5%
$53,501 to $78,100	30%
$78,101 to $180,000	33%
$180,001 and over	39%

Each rate applies only to the part of your income inside its band. There is no tax-free allowance.

Tax credit

Independent earner tax credit (tax codes ME and ME SL)

Income for the year	Credit a year
$24,000 to $66,000	$520
Over $66,000 and under $70,000	$520, less 13% of income over $66,000

Below $24,000, and from $70,000, there is no credit.

ACC

ACC earners' levy

Item	Value
Levy rate	1.75%
Maximum liable earnings	$156,641
Maximum levy a year	$2,741.22

The levy is included in PAYE, so your payslip shows one deduction for both.

Student loan

Student loan repayments

Item	Value
Repayment threshold a year	$24,128
Repayment rate on pay above it	12%

Deducted through your pay when your tax code ends in SL.

KiwiSaver

KiwiSaver contribution rates

Item	Value
Employee rates you can choose	3.5%, 4%, 6%, 8% or 10%
Default employee rate	3.5%
Employer's compulsory contribution	3.5%

Your contribution comes from your gross pay. Your employer's is paid on top of your pay, after employer superannuation contribution tax.

Questions

Common questions

How is income tax worked out in New Zealand?

There is no tax-free allowance: income tax starts at 10.5% on the first dollar and rises through the scale's bands to 39% on income over $180,000. The ACC earners' levy of 1.75%, on earnings up to $156,641, is collected with it, and the two together are your PAYE.

What is the independent earner tax credit?

A credit of $520 a year that comes off your PAYE on an ME tax code, for income from $24,000 to $66,000. Above that it reduces until it reaches nothing at $70,000.

How much is a student loan repayment?

12% of your pay above the repayment threshold of $24,128 a year, taken through your pay when your tax code ends in SL. A bonus is counted in the year's income, so it can add to the repayment.

Rules v2026.0 · checked against Inland Revenue on 17 September 2026Two independent checks on every rate · 102 hand-derived New Zealand cases, beside 1,703 generated Single official source: four rounding steps are stated only in Inland Revenue's payroll calculations and business rules specification, and the per-pay ACC earners' levy maximums and the 3-weekly student loan threshold only in its employer's guide (IR335). A second source is being sought, and they are reviewed again by 21 January 2027. · Changelog

SourcesInland Revenue, Tax rates for individuals, 'Income tax rates' table 'From 1 April 2025'Inland Revenue, Payroll Calculations & Business Rules Specification 2026-27, sections 2.1 and 5.2 Inland Revenue, IR335 Employer's guide (September 2026), '2027 pay period repayment thresholds for main SL tax codes'Inland Revenue, IR340 April 2026, 2027 Weekly and fortnightly PAYE deduction tables, pages 3 and 4

MyNetIncome gives estimates, not tax or financial advice. Figures follow Inland Revenue's rules for the 2026–27 tax year; your payslip can differ because of your tax code, your pay dates or deductions this page does not ask about. Not affiliated with or endorsed by Inland Revenue.Estimates, not tax or financial advice. Your payslip can differ. Not affiliated with Inland Revenue.