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We will try to process your request or answer your query within these timeframes but it may take longer. Thank you for being patient.

Current processing times

Your query Online Paper
Donation tax credit refund 12 weeks from when your income tax assessment is finalised  12 weeks from when your income tax assessment is finalised 
Employer registration  5 working days  10 working days 
FamilyBoost registration  5 working days  Not available
FamilyBoost claims  15 working days  Not available
Fees Free application  Up to 20 working days after we receive confirmation from the Tertiary Education Commission that you’ve completed your qualification or programme  Not available 
Goods and services tax registration  5 working days  10 working days 
GST refund (31st or 1st of each month)  15 working days  15 working days 
Income tax refund  10 weeks  10 weeks 
IRD number application  10 working days  12 working days 
Paper correspondence  Not available  30 working days 
Payment not showing in account  3 working days, or up to 15 working days if any payment reference fields are wrong or missing. Check the payment has cleared from your bank account before contacting us.  Not available
Research and development tax incentive (RDTI)  10 weeks from the date of receipt, including the corresponding IR4 Income tax return: companies  10 weeks from the date of receipt, including the corresponding IR4 Income tax return: companies 
Tax payment arrangement  5 working days  Not available 
Unclaimed money claims and correspondence  12 weeks minimum  12 weeks minimum 
Web messages  15 working days  Not available 
Working for Families application  10 working days  10 working days 
Working for Familes online details updated  Up to 15 working days  Not available 

Urgent requests

If you need a response before the timeframes above, call us or visit one of our front of house offices to say why your query is urgent. We need your specific reasons, so we can prioritise your query over others in our waiting list. 

For example, we could agree to an urgent IRD number if you’re buying a property and an IRD number is needed straight away to avoid penalty payments. 

It will take at least 2 working days for us to process your application. 

Apply for an IRD number at the start of the settlement process to avoid penalties and delay.


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Last updated: 10 Aug 2026
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