Reference

NZ FBT Rates 2026/27

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63.93%
Single Rate
49.25%
Alternate Rate
$22,500
De Minimis (per employer/yr)

Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) is paid by employers on non-cash benefits given to employees, such as a work vehicle available for private use, low-interest loans, or free goods and services. The rates are high because FBT is designed to tax benefits at roughly the employee's marginal rate. This is general information, not tax advice.

FBT Calculator FBT Quarterly Estimator FBT De Minimis Calculator

FBT Rate Options

MethodRateWhen used
Single rate63.93%Simplest; applied to all attributed and non-attributed benefits
Alternate rate (attribution)49.25%For employees with under $160,000 gross pay and under $13,400 in attributed benefits; a final wash-up is done in the last quarter
Pooled non-attributed (major shareholder-employees)63.93%Pooling option for benefits not attributed to an individual
Pooled non-attributed (other employees)49.25%Pooling option for benefits not attributed to an individual
Source: IRD - FBT rates. The single rate is simplest but most expensive; the attribution method usually costs less but takes more work.

De Minimis Exemption (Unclassified Benefits)

ThresholdAmount
Per employee, per quarter$300
All employees, per employer, per year$22,500

If the total taxable value of unclassified benefits (such as gifts, prizes and minor perks) stays under both thresholds, no FBT is payable on them. Go over either threshold and FBT applies to the whole amount, not just the excess.

Prescribed Interest Rate (Low-Interest Employment Loans)

If you lend an employee money below the prescribed rate, the shortfall is a fringe benefit. The rate changes quarterly, more often than anything else on this page, so check the quarter you are filing for rather than assuming the current figure.

Applies fromPrescribed rate
1 January 2026 (current)5.77%
1 October 20256.29%
1 July 20256.67%
1 April 20257.38%
1 October 20238.41%

Work the FBT out with our shareholder loan calculator or the quarterly estimator.

Source: IRD - Prescribed interest rates for fringe benefit tax.

Filing Frequency

FrequencyWho
QuarterlyThe default; returns due the 20th of the month after each quarter (the Q4 return and any annual wash-up is due 31 May)
AnnualAvailable to some employers (for example, where PAYE/ESCT is under a threshold or for close companies)
Income yearAvailable to close companies in some cases
Source: IRD - Fringe benefit tax. See also our Tax Due Dates and ESCT Rates references.

Cite this page NZ FBT Rates 2026/27. Calculate.co.nz. https://www.calculate.co.nz/reference/nz-fbt-rates.php (retrieved 10 September 2026). Figures are compiled from the official sources listed above and reviewed twice monthly.