Apply for an IRD number

Inland RevenueVerified 14 Oct 2026Official pages checked daily

An IRD number is your personal tax number in New Zealand. You use it for all your tax matters, and it stays the same for life. You need one if you earn income in New Zealand. Applying is free. If you have just arrived on a visa, you can use the simpler 'new arrival' process and usually get your number within 2 days.

Key facts

Application fee: Free. You do not pay Inland Revenue anything to apply.³
New arrival process: time to get your number: Within 2 days of approval, sent by text or email¹
New arrival deadline for visa holders: The final date you must arrive in New Zealand by, as shown on your visa¹
Australian passport holders: Usually 4 to 6 weeks after arrival to use the new arrival process¹
Standard process: document check deadline: Within 20 days of applying online, take your original documents to an AA Driver Licensing Agent to be verified²
Standard process: time to get your number: After the AA verifies your documents: within 10 working days for online applications, or 12 working days for paper forms, sent by text or email²
If you have no IRD number: Your income is taxed at the highest tax rate⁴
Phone line if you do not have the right documents: 0800 775 247²

Who is this for, and what are the requirements?

You need an IRD number if you earn income in New Zealand, for example from a job or part-time work.
New arrival process: for people who have just arrived in New Zealand on a visa from Immigration New Zealand, such as a resident visa, work visa or student visa. You must apply before the final date you must arrive in New Zealand by, as shown on your visa.
Australian passport holders do not have a New Zealand visa. They can usually use the new arrival process within 4 to 6 weeks after arriving.
If you missed the new arrival deadline, or you have already lived in New Zealand for a while, use the 'Living in New Zealand' process. New Zealand citizens applying for their children also use this process.
You can also apply while you are still overseas. Inland Revenue has a separate 'Living overseas' process.
Children: you can use the new arrival process for your child if your resident visa includes your child, or if your child has a student visa and you have a guardianship visa.

How do I do it? Steps and process

Choose the right process
If you have just arrived and it is still before the final arrival date on your visa (for Australian passport holders, usually within 4 to 6 weeks after arrival), use the new arrival process. If not, use the Living in New Zealand process.
Register for myIR
Register for a personal myIR account on the Inland Revenue website. myIR is Inland Revenue's online service, and you submit your IRD number application there.
Get your documents ready
For the new arrival process, you mainly need your passport details and your Immigration New Zealand application number. For the Living in New Zealand process, you need the originals of one primary document and one secondary document, plus scanned copies. See 'Documents' below.
Apply in myIR
Log in to myIR, fill in the application and submit it. With the new arrival process, you do not need to send the same identity documents to Inland Revenue again. With the Living in New Zealand process, you upload scanned copies of your documents when you apply online.
Get your documents verified at the AA (Living in New Zealand only)
Within 20 days of applying, take your original documents to an AA Driver Licensing Agent to be verified. Only AA Centres can do this. AA Auto Centres cannot. You can also fill in the paper form IR595 and take it to an AA Driver Licensing Agent or an Inland Revenue office to be verified.
Wait for your IRD number
New arrival: you get your number by text or email within 2 days of approval. Living in New Zealand: after the AA verifies your documents, you get it within 10 working days for online applications, or 12 working days for paper forms. Inland Revenue will contact you if they need more information.

What documents do I need?

New arrival (Australian passport): your passport details
New arrival (resident visa): your passport details and your Immigration New Zealand application number
New arrival (student visa or work visa): your passport details, your Immigration New Zealand application number, and your most recent overseas tax number (if you have one)
Living in New Zealand: one primary document (Category A), for example a New Zealand passport, or an overseas passport with a New Zealand visa
Living in New Zealand: one secondary document (Category B), for example a New Zealand or overseas driver licence, a Kiwi Access Card, or an International Driving Permit
Documents not in English: you need a certified English translation from an approved translator

What should I watch out for?

Applying to Inland Revenue for an IRD number is free.
Without an IRD number, your income is taxed at the highest tax rate. Apply as soon as you can after you arrive.
The new arrival process has a deadline. After it passes, you must use the Living in New Zealand process, which means an extra trip to the AA to verify your original documents.
Your IRD number stays the same for life. You will need it for tax returns and all other tax matters, so keep it safe.
For the Living in New Zealand process, your documents must be physical originals. Digital documents are not accepted.
If you have an Australian, Cook Islands, Niue or Tokelau passport, you do not need a New Zealand visa when you use your passport as your primary document.
If your only photo ID has expired, take it to your nearest Inland Revenue office. You do not need an appointment.
If you cannot provide both a primary and a secondary document, call Inland Revenue on 0800 775 247 to ask about other options.
This page is a plain-English summary of public information. Always check the Inland Revenue website for the official rules. This is not immigration or legal advice.

Common questions

How do I get an IRD number after arriving in New Zealand?

If you have just arrived on a visa, use the new arrival process and apply online in myIR. You must apply before the final date you must arrive in New Zealand by, as shown on your visa. First register for a personal myIR account on the Inland Revenue website. You get your number by text or email within 2 days of approval.

Where do I apply for an IRD number on a work visa or student visa?

You apply online in myIR, Inland Revenue's online service, using the new arrival process. You need your passport details and your Immigration New Zealand application number. You also need your most recent overseas tax number, if you have one. You do not need to send the same identity documents to Inland Revenue again.

Is the IRD number application free, and how long does it take?

Yes, it is free. You do not pay Inland Revenue anything to apply. With the new arrival process, you get your number within 2 days of approval. With the Living in New Zealand process, you get it after the AA verifies your documents. This takes 10 working days for online applications, or 12 working days for paper forms.

What happens if I start work before I get my IRD number?

Without an IRD number, your income is taxed at the highest tax rate. Apply as soon as you can after you arrive. If you have just arrived on a visa, the new arrival process usually gets you a number within 2 days of approval.

I have been in New Zealand for a few months. Can I still use the new arrival process?

Only if it is still before the final date you must arrive in New Zealand by, as shown on your visa. Australian passport holders can usually use it within 4 to 6 weeks after arriving. If you missed the deadline, or you have lived in New Zealand for a while, use the Living in New Zealand process instead.

Do I have to go to the AA to verify my documents for an IRD number?

Only if you use the Living in New Zealand process. The new arrival process does not need an AA visit. For Living in New Zealand, take your original documents to an AA Driver Licensing Agent within 20 days of applying online. Only AA Centres can do this, not AA Auto Centres. You can also take paper form IR595 to an Inland Revenue office.

Can I apply for an IRD number before I arrive in New Zealand?

Yes, you can apply while you are still overseas. Inland Revenue has a separate 'Living overseas' process for this. Check the Inland Revenue website for the official rules.

How do I get an IRD number for my child?

You can use the new arrival process for your child if your resident visa includes your child. You can also use it if your child has a student visa and you have a guardianship visa. Otherwise, use the Living in New Zealand process. New Zealand citizens applying for their children also use this process.

Answers are based on the verified content of this page — the official source always prevails.

Where can I check the official information?

New arrival to New Zealand - IRD number applicationInland Revenue · ird.govt.nz
Living in New Zealand – IRD number applicationInland Revenue · ird.govt.nz
IRD numbers for individualsInland Revenue · ird.govt.nz
Paying taxes in New ZealandImmigration New Zealand · immigration.govt.nz

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