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Find out about: Work out tax rates and codes

Income tax rates for individuals

Taxable income Tax rate for every
$1 of taxable income
(excluding ACC earners' levy)
Tax rate for every
$1 of taxable income
(including ACC earners' levy *)

up to $38,000

19.5 cents

20.9 cents

$38,001 to $60,000 inclusive

33 cents

34.4 cents

$60,001 and over

39 cents

40.4 cents

No declaration **

45 cents

46.4 cents

Use the Tax on annual income calculator if you want to know the tax rates for previous years.

* The earners' levy rate for the tax year 1 April 2008 to 31 March 2009 is 1.4% ($1.40 per $100)
** Employers are legally required to use the no-declaration rate when an employee does not fully complete the Tax code declaration (IR330). A completed form must include name, IRD number and tax code.  The form must also be signed.

Example 1

John's total taxable income for the year was $65,238.  Here is how to work out the amount of tax due on the income:

$0 to $38,000
@
19.5%
=
$7,410.00
$38,001 to $60,000
@
33%
=
$7,260.00
$60,001 to $65,238
@
39%
=
$2,042.82
  $16,712.82


Therefore the tax due on John's income of $65,238 was $16,712.82.

Example 2

Sarah's total taxable income for the year was $45,000. Here is how to work out the amount of tax due on the income:

$0 to $38,000
@
19.5%
=
$7,410.00
$38,001 to $45,000
@
33%
=
$2,310.00
  $9,720.00

Therefore the tax due on Sarah's income of $45,000 was $9,720.00.

ACC earners' levy rates

All employees must pay an ACC earners' levy to cover the cost of non-work related injuries. It is collected by Inland Revenue on behalf of the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC).

Employers deduct the earners' levy from wages. It is included as a component of PAYE deductions.

Earners' levy is charged at a flat rate each year:

Year Levy rate
1 April 2008 to 31 March 2009 $1.40 per $100 (1.4%)
1 April 2007 to 31 March 2008 $1.30 per $100 (1.3%)
1 April 2006 to 31 March 2007 $1.30 per $100 (1.3%)
1 April 2005 to 31 March 2006 $1.20 per $100 (1.2%)
1 April 2004 to 31 March 2005 $1.20 per $100 (1.2%)
1 April 2003 to 31 March 2004 $1.20 per $100 (1.2%)
1 April 2002 to 31 March 2003 $1.20 per $100 (1.2%)
1 April 2001 to 31 March 2002 $1.10 per $100 (1.1%)
1 April 2000 to 31 March 2001 $1.30 per $100 (1.3%)

Earners' levy is deducted on earnings up to an annually prescribed maximum:

Year Maximum
earnings
Levy
1 April 2008 to 31 March 2009 $102,922 $1,440.91
1 April 2007 to 31 March 2008 $99,817 $1,297.62
1 April 2006 to 31 March 2007 $96,619 $1,256.04
1 April 2005 to 31 March 2006 $94,226 $1,130.71
1 April 2004 to 31 March 2005 $92,189 $1,106.26
1 April 2003 to 31 March 2004 $88,728 $1,064.73
1 April 2002 to 31 March 2003 $87,185 $1,046.22
1 April 2001 to 31 March 2002 $85,795 $943.74
1 April 2000 to 31 March 2001 $84,636 $1100.26

Income liable for earners' levy

Almost all earnings subject to PAYE are liable for earners' levy. They include:

  • wages and salaries
  • back pay and holiday pay
  • overtime pay
  • long-service pay
  • bonuses or gratuities
  • taxable allowances
  • shareholder-employee salaries from which PAYE is deducted
  • salaries to partners in a partnership.

 

 


Date published: 24 Apr 2008

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