Do I pay tax if I sell my house within 2 years? What is the bright-line rule?
Yes, you may have to pay tax on the profit. For homes sold on or after 1 July 2024, the bright-line rule applies if less than 2 years pass between the title being transferred to you and you signing a binding agreement to sell. It may not apply to your own home or some other cases. If it applies, fill in the Bright-line property sale information form (IR833) in your tax return. Use Inland Revenue's Property tax decision tool to check.
Official figures
- Who can buy without applying
- New Zealand citizens (whether or not they live in New Zealand); people who hold a New Zealand residence class visa and are ordinarily resident; Australian or Singaporean citizens buying residential or lifestyle land. It is enough if you, your spouse or your partner meets one of these.1
- The 3 conditions for being ordinarily resident
- You hold a residence class visa; you have lived in New Zealand for at least the last 12 months, counting back from the day you sign the agreement to buy; and you are a New Zealand tax resident, having spent more than 183 days in New Zealand in the past 12 months.1
- Who must get approval before buying
- People who hold a residence class visa but are not yet ordinarily resident can apply for approval (consent) to buy or build one home to live in.1
- Who generally cannot buy
- Overseas people on a temporary, limited, interim or transit visa (for example, a student, work or visitor visa), and overseas people with no visa.1
- Application fee for a home to live in
- NZ$2,040 for ordinary residential land; NZ$16,900 if the land is also other sensitive land (for example, on an island, by the sea or a river, or next to a reserve).1
Official sources
- Buying residential property to live inToitū Te Whenua LINZ · linz.govt.nz
- Investing in residential land over $5 millionToitū Te Whenua LINZ · linz.govt.nz
- Getting my KiwiSaver savings for my first homeInland Revenue · ird.govt.nz
- The bright-line testInland Revenue · ird.govt.nz
Read the full guide: Buying a home: overseas buyer rules and first-home support →
People also ask
- Can I buy a house in New Zealand on a work visa or work permit?
- I just got my resident visa. Can I buy a house straight away, or do I need to apply?
- What does 'ordinarily resident' mean, and how long do I need to live in NZ?
- My partner is a New Zealand citizen and I'm not. Can we buy a house together?
- Can I use my KiwiSaver to buy my first home? What are the conditions?
- What is a LIM report, and do I need one before buying?
Answers are based on official New Zealand government pages. Check the official source before you act. This is not immigration, legal or tax advice.
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