A balance date is the last day of an accounting year.
For most businesses the accounting year begins on 1 April and ends the following 31 March. When you apply for an IRD number, your balance date will be 31 March. This is called the standard balance date.
The standard balance date might be during your peak season. You can apply to change your balance date.
Recognised balance dates for specific industries
The following industries have a recognised balance date.
If you work in one of these industries we often accept an application to use these dates, but you can apply to use a different date. We'll also accept a change in balance date for other industries when there's a good reason to do so.
| Industry | Balance date |
|---|---|
| Beekeeping | 30 November or 31 December |
| Services related to childcare or education | 31 December |
| Cattle farming | 31 May |
| Dairy farming | 31 May, 30 June or 31 July |
| Sheep farming | 30 June |
| Fishing | 30 September |
| Horse breeding | 31 July |
| Kiwifruit growing | 31 January, 28 February or 31 March |
| Meat processing or exporting | 31 August or 30 September |
| Pip fruit growing | 31 March, 30 June or 31 December |
| Seed dressing | 30 November |
| Tobacco growing | 31 July |
Last updated:
07 Jan 2021