Top 10 facts on international tax
New Zealand residents are generally taxed on their worldwide income.
Find out more about tax residency and status
If you leave the country but maintain a permanent place of abode here, then you will still be a New Zealand tax resident.
Find out more about when you are considered to be a tax resident of New Zealand
Foreign income (even if deposited in an offshore account or left on a foreign credit card) does not need to be repatriated to New Zealand to be taxed here.
Find out more about if you have overseas investments
Even if withholding tax has been deducted on foreign income this does not mean that this income is no longer taxable in New Zealand.
Find out more about paying tax in New Zealand
A foreign tax credit may be available where the tax involved is substantially similar to income tax and it cannot exceed the tax otherwise payable on the underlying income in New Zealand.
Find out more about what income is taxable in New Zealand
Certain overseas pension payments may be fully taxable
in New Zealand.
Special taxing regimes (controlled foreign company (CFC) and foreign investment fund (FIF) rules) apply to gains on certain foreign shareholdings, retirement schemes and life insurance investments.
Find out about foreign investment fund (FIF) & controlled foreign company (CFC) rules
Disclosures are required in respect of controlled foreign companies and foreign investment funds.
Find out more about making a controlled foreign company (CFC) disclosure
Allowances that may be treated as tax-free in other countries (for example, living-away-from-home allowances) are generally fully taxable in New Zealand.
Find out more about what income is taxable in New Zealand
The temporary tax exemption on foreign income for transitional residents expires after four years and there is no entitlement to Working for Families Tax Credits during the period of the exemption.
Find out more about the temporary tax exemption on foreign income for new migrants and returning New Zealanders
For more information, visit our International section
Date published: 13 Oct 2011
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