Reference

NZ FBT Rates 2026/27

Last updated: May 2026

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

Method	Rate	When used
Single rate	63.93%	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)

Threshold	Amount
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.

Filing Frequency

Frequency	Who
Quarterly	The default; returns due the 20th of the month after each quarter (the Q4 return and any annual wash-up is due 31 May)
Annual	Available to some employers (for example, where PAYE/ESCT is under a threshold or for close companies)
Income year	Available to close companies in some cases

Source: IRD - Fringe benefit tax. See also our Tax Due Dates and ESCT Rates references.

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