Tax Refund Calculator NZ 2026

Use this calculator to find out whether IRD owes you a tax refund or whether you have tax still to pay for the year, the same end-of-year square-up that Inland Revenue runs through its individual tax assessment process each May to July. Enter your total gross income for the tax year, the total PAYE tax that was deducted from your pay (found on your payslips, employer summary, or MyIR income summary), and whether you earned income from more than one job or source, since multiple employers each taxing only their own portion can leave you under-deducted. From these figures the calculator works out your correct income tax liability under the 2026/27 brackets, applies any Independent Earner Tax Credit you qualify for, and compares the resulting net tax liability against the PAYE you already paid. The results show your gross income, correct income tax, IETC, net tax liability, PAYE already deducted, and the estimated refund or amount owing, along with a plain-language verdict. It covers income tax and the IETC only, not ACC levies, KiwiSaver contributions or student loan repayments, and if you had multiple income sources treat the figure as a lower bound since more tax may be owing than shown. This is an indicative estimate only; IRD's official assessment is the final word on your tax position.

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Who this calculator is for

This calculator is for salary and wage earners checking whether IRD may owe them a refund, including people who worked only part of the year, had more than one job, or may be entitled to the Independent Earner Tax Credit.

What this calculator assumes

• The 2026/27 tax rates and thresholds.
• The income and tax-paid figures you enter for the year.
• You are a New Zealand tax resident.
• It estimates your end-of-year square-up; Inland Revenue's assessment is the final word. Results are indicative.

Why might I get a tax refund from IRD?

You may receive a tax refund if your employer deducted more PAYE than your actual tax liability for the year. Common reasons include working part of the year only, having a tax code that was higher than necessary, earning investment income that reduced your effective rate, being entitled to the Independent Earner Tax Credit (IETC) but not having it factored into your PAYE code, or a change in income midway through the year. IRD issues most refunds automatically through the individual tax assessment process that runs from May to July each year.

What is the IETC?

The Independent Earner Tax Credit (IETC) is a tax credit available to individuals earning between $24,000 and $70,000 per year who are not receiving a main benefit such as Jobseeker, Sole Parent Support, or Supported Living Payment. The full credit is $520 per year for incomes between $24,000 and $66,000, tapering to zero by $70,000. If you have the ME tax code, your employer should be factoring this in throughout the year. If not, IRD will include it in your end-of-year assessment.

What if I have tax to pay?

If you had multiple income sources and each employer taxed you at the basic rate on their portion only, your combined income may fall into a higher tax bracket and you could owe tax. Similarly, if you received untaxed income such as rental income, freelance earnings, or interest, you may owe terminal tax. IRD will issue an assessment showing the amount owed, which must be paid by 7 February following the end of the tax year (or 7 April if you have a tax agent).