What is an IRD number?

IRD number applications

What is an IRD number?

An IRD number is a unique number issued to you by Inland Revenue. Your number will be in the range of 10-000-000 to 999-999-999, so some people will have an 8 digit number and others a 9 digit number. Your number will never change, even if you move to another country and then return to New Zealand some time in the future. We do not reallocate old numbers or issue every number in the range. This ensures the uniqueness of every individual or organisation's number.

Do I need an IRD number?

You should apply for an IRD number if:

• you are earning an income
• you are starting a business
• you are registering for Working for Families Tax Credits
• you are registering for a student loan
• your child has a part-time job
• you file tax returns
• you ask us about your tax
• you apply for child support.

It is not compulsory for every individual (eg baby, child) to have an IRD number, but if you or your children are earning income you have to pay tax. If you do not have an IRD number, tax will be deducted at a no-declaration rate, which is higher than the normal deduction rate. You can also apply for an IRD number for your child so a lower rate of withholding tax is deducted from interest earned on their bank balance.

Important

If you're registering for Working for Families Tax Credits you need to supply an IRD number for you and your children. If you don't provide us with these IRD numbers your Working for Families Tax Credits payments will stop after the first eight weeks.

Who should I give my IRD number to?

You should only provide it to:

• Inland Revenue
• your employer
• your bank or financial institution
• your KiwiSaver scheme provider
• Work and Income
• StudyLink
• your tax agent (accountant).

If other groups ask for your IRD number, ask them why they need it. If you are not sure that you should give them your number, call us for advice.

Keep your number confidential and have it handy when you contact us.

What if I forget or lose my IRD number?

If you cannot remember your IRD number, check any correspondence you have from us - your IRD number should be on this.

If you cannot find any correspondence from us, call us on 0800 377 774 and we will tell you what your IRD number is and confirm this with a follow-up letter.

How do I apply for an IRD number?

You can apply for an IRD number for yourself, your children or your organisation, using one of the following forms. We will send your IRD number within 8-10 working days of receiving your application.

• IR595 (individual) - adult and children
• IR596 (non-individual) - company, partnership, estate, trust, club, society, superannuation scheme and Maori authority

IR595 - Individual (adults and children)

Please print, complete and sign your IR595. You can also complete this form onscreen by typing onto the PDF document. Take the form with your identification documents to an Inland Revenue appointed verifier. Further details can be found on the form.

If you are applying for an IRD number...	then you need to complete the...	and you must provide...
for an individual (adult or child)	IR595	one original and one legible photocopy of a Category A document and one original and one legible photocopy of a Category B document.
for a child who is in your care and they are under 16	IR595	one original and one legible photocopy of a Category A or a Category B document for the child and one original and one legible photocopy of a document which shows the relationship between you and the child, if not already shown in the Category A or Category B document (if you do not have a document which shows the relationship between you and the child, you can use the statutory declaration IR595D) and full proof of your own identity as parent or guardian by providing: one original and one legible photocopy of a Category A document and one original and one legible photocopy of a Category B document.

Category A documents

You must provide one original and one legible photocopy of one of the following documents:

• Full New Zealand birth certificate issued on or after 1 January 1998. Birth certificates issued after 1 January 1998 carry a unique identification number. If you hold a birth certificate issued before 1 January 1998, and wish to hold a birth certificate with a unique identification number, contact the Department of Internal Affairs
• New Zealand passport (please photocopy the pages showing photo, name and specimen signature)
• Overseas passport with New Zealand immigration visa / permit (please photocopy the pages showing photo, name, any pages showing current work, visitor permits, or residency documentation and a specimen signature) or call Inland Revenue on 0800 227 774 for exempt list
• New Zealand emergency travel document
• New Zealand firearm or dealer's licence
• New Zealand refugee travel document
• New Zealand certificate of identity (issued by Department of Labour or Department of Internal Affairs)
• New Zealand citizenship certificate

Category B documents

You must provide one original and one legible photocopy of one of the following documents:

• New Zealand driver licence
• New Zealand 18+ card
• New Zealand student photo identification card
• A letter confirming registration as a student in New Zealand (if this document is used you must provide a document from category A that contains a photo)
• An "offer of employment" letter from your employer, on their company letterhead (if this document is used you must provide a document from category A that contains a photo)
• International Drivers' Permit (issued by a member country of the UN Convention on Road Traffic)
• Overseas Drivers' Licence (accompanied by an English translation completed by an LTNZ authorised translator, if not already in English)

Statutory declaration

If you are applying for an IRD number for a child but you don't have a document which shows your relationship with the child (like a birth certificate), you must fill in a Statutory declaration IR595D, found under Forms and guides.

Note

If the documents you provide are in another name, you must provide an original document that confirms how your name was changed eg. Marriage certificate, deed poll, change of name certificate, civil union certificate, and a photocopy of that document.

Submitting the completed application form (IR595)

Once you have completed the IR595 and collated the required supporting documents, follow the instructions on this page.

Step	Role	What they do
1	You	Take the completed application form, with current supporting documents to an Inland Revenue appointed verifier. These are: Automobile Association (AA) Driver Licensing Agents PostShops and selected New Zealand Post retail outlets
2	Verifier	Verifies your supporting documentation and returns the originals to you.
3	Verifier	Forwards your application form and photocopies to Inland Revenue.
4	Inland Revenue	Sends your Inland Revenue number to you, usually within 8-10 working days.

IR596 - Non-individual (company, partnership, estate, trust, club, society, superannuation scheme, Maori authority)

If you are incorporating a new company online through the Companies Office website, you can apply for an IRD number at the same time. Or, you can complete this form online, print, sign and send it to us. You will need to provide a photocopy of one of the following:

• certificate of incorporation
• deed of trust
• certificate of registration.

Note:

All organisations should complete Question 15 on page 2 of the IR596.

 

Date published: 26 Jun 2009