Register a New Zealand foreign trust

Before applying for a New Zealand foreign trust's (NZFT) registration, you'll need to:

apply for and receive an IRD number for the NZFT
be the NZFT's contact trustee or tax agent.

If your NZFT meets the criteria for an offshore person, apply for an IRD number as an offshore non-incorporated trust. If your NZFT does not, apply for an IRD number as a New Zealand business or organisation.

Apply for an IRD number for an offshore non-incorporated trust

Apply for an IRD number for a New Zealand business or organisation

Before you start

You'll need:

the trust deed
any documents that amend or supplement the trust deed - for example, deeds appointing and removing trustees.

You'll also need details about the NZFT's:

connected persons
settlements
New Zealand bank details, if it has one.

Register an NZFT in myIR

Once you have an IRD number for the NZFT, you'll be able to access your myIR account. If you have not set up your myIR account, you'll need to do this before registering an NZFT.

If you'll be paying the registration fee using direct debit, make sure you set this up before applying for the NZFT's registration.

Set up a direct debit agreement with us

From the homepage in your myIR account, select:

'I want to...'
'Register as an NZ Foreign Trust' under 'Registration, application and enrolment'
'Next' after reading about the registration process.

NZFT eligibility

You'll be asked to confirm that the trust:

has 1 or more resident foreign trustees
is a New Zealand foreign trust.

This is to make sure the trust is eligible for NZFT registration.

Enter the NZFT's details

You'll need to know if the New Zealand resident trustees are all:

natural persons
not in the business of providing trustee services.

You must also let us know the trust's:

establishment date
date when the first New Zealand resident trustee was appointed
balance date.

As the contact trustee or tax agent, you'll need to enter your name and give us your contact details.

List any discretionary beneficiaries

If the trust has discretionary beneficiaries or classes of discretionary beneficiary, make sure you list them.

List all connected persons

For each person connected to the NZFT, you'll need to provide their:

name
role - that is, connection to the trust
taxpayer identification number in their jurisdiction of tax residence, or IRD number if they are a New Zealand tax resident
address and contact details.

You'll need to make a declaration that the NZFT's connected persons have agreed to provide us with certain information.

You'll be able to make additional notes, as well.

Roles for connected persons of New Zealand foreign trusts

Enter historical settlements

For each settlement on the trust, you'll need to tell us the:

full name of the settlor
type of settlement - cash, services, land, shares, financial arrangements or other
date it was paid or credited
amount
currency.

You'll be able to provide additional details, as well.

Upload attachments

You'll need to upload:

the trust deed
any documents that amend or supplement the trust deed - for example, any amending deeds which remove or appoint trustees.

Add the trust's bank account details

In case there are refunds in the future, make sure we have the details for the trust's New Zealand bank account.

Review and submit your application

Make sure all of your details are correct. You can make changes by clicking on the tab you want to edit.

Pay the registration fee, if required

To pay the registration fee of $270, GST included, select 'Make a payment'.

You will not need to pay this fee if all of the resident foreign trustees are:

natural persons
not in the business of providing trustee services.

Log in to myIR

myIR login

Other ways to do this

If you want to register an NZFT using paper forms, you can do this. You'll have the option to send us the completed and signed forms, with the required attachments, by either:

email
post.

What happens next

We'll process your request within 10 working days. If we need more information, we'll contact you.

Once we confirm your registration, we'll send you a letter and make it available in your myIR account. You'll see an NZFT account on your homepage in myIR, which you can use to manage the trust's details and submit annual returns. You'll need to keep these up to date to retain NZFT registration.

We'll also send you a GST invoice when we receive your payment for the registration fee, if you were required to pay it.

My responsibilities

You or your tax agent will need to keep up to date with managing the trust's details and filing its annual returns.

File an annual return for a New Zealand foreign trust

Tax agents

Te rēhita i te tarahiti kei tāwāhi Register a New Zealand foreign trust