My account: Sign in
Applying for a refund
“Linking” to a tax agent
Additional Tax Information/Claim Forms
Important definitions
When is the best time to apply to see if I’m eligible for a tax refund?
The sooner the better. We can only check the last 5 financial years, so if you wait until after 31 March you will lose the earliest year’s refund.
Why do I have to wait longer for last year’s tax refund?
The IRD does not process refunds for the latest financial year until around mid-June each year. For example, refunds for the 2011/2012 financial year will not be processed until sometime in June 2012. This delay in processing does not impact refunds for previous financial years.
What if I have to pay tax?
MyTax.co.nz only file a tax assessment if a refund is due, not if you are assessed as having tax to pay. We have a spotless record for only filing tax refunds, not bills, so you can be assured of our service record.
What does it cost?
We have a “no refund – no fee” policy for personal tax summary returns, therefore if you don’t get a refund we won’t charge you a cent. We charge a percentage of your tax refund, and you can earn Fly Buys points on all of our fees. See Our Fees for full details.
How long will it take to get my tax refund?
We aim to let you know your tax refund result within 1 business day. We also aim to have your tax refund paid to you in around 5 days. Sometimes it can take a longer :
How do I find out what’s happening with my application?
Once you have submitted your application online you can check how it’s progressing by signing in to My Account. Here you can also update your personal information and reapply for new financial years. If you’re unsure of anything you can also contact us by phone or email.
What details do you need from me?
We need some basic information from you in order to process your tax refund. We need your IRD number, which is unique to you, and identifies you personally with the Inland Revenue Department. We also need other personal identification details such as your full name, address, date of birth and photo ID. This is required by the IRD and helps us ensure your personal and financial security.
What type of photo ID is accepted
The preferred form of photo ID is a valid New Zealand driver’s licence. We also accept the following other forms of ID in combination with a completed Authority To Act form: New Zealand passport, Overseas passport with New Zealand immigration visa / permit, New Zealand 18+ card, New Zealand Firearms licence, International Driver’s Permit (issued by a member country of the UN Convention on Road Traffic), New Zealand certificate of identity (issued by Department of Labour or Department of Internal Affairs).
Is my information safe?
Absolutely. As practicing tax agents we are strictly confidential and are bound by the Privacy Act 1993 to protect your information. We will never disclose your information without your express written consent except to Inland Revenue, Veda Verification and basic information on our recent refunds page. Our website uses the same technology as internet banking, meaning your information is secure.
What does it mean when you are “linked” as my tax agent?
It means we have certain access rights to information held at the IRD about you used to verify and process your tax refund. Such information might include income earnings details, employer information, tax paid, etc.
Will I still receive IRD correspondence?
When we become your tax agent, the IRD will forward us relevant income tax correspondence, which we then promptly forward on to you. Correspondence for all other tax types will be sent directly to you by the IRD.
Will I be automatically reassessed every year?
No. MyTax.co.nz will assess clients for the last five financial years. We will not automatically assess future years. Further assessment will require a new application through your Mytax.co.nz online account or through our online application form. Alternatively you can phone us on 0800 672 878 to confirm or update your details with us.
I have received a letter from the IRD advising that MyTax has become my tax agent, why?
This is the letter that the IRD issues to advise you that we have linked to your Inland Revenue number. This is a normal part of the process that is required for us to be able to access your information and release any refunds for you.
I have received a letter advising that a bank account has been added to my account, why?
The IRD has issued this letter advising that our trust account has been added to your account at the IRD. This allows us to keep track of your refunds. Refunds are paid into this our trust account, we deduct our fee and then refund you the balance. Your refund will be paid out to you once our accounts department has processed it. You will receive your refund usually within a few days of the date of that letter.
What happens if I do not wish to use MyTax.co.nz anymore?
You should contact us to let us know. You are able to remove us as your tax agent at anytime however if we have commenced your refund work we will still require a fee. We will remove you from our client list and advise the IRD on your behalf. You should also confirm with the IRD that they have your correct bank account details on file by calling 0800 227 774.
What if I already have a tax agent?
MyTax.co.nz will simply become your new tax agent if you choose to use our service. This will mean you will be de-linked from your previous tax agent.
My personal details have changed, what should I do?
It is important that you advise us if your details will or have changed. This means we can keep up to date with you and ensure your refund money and correspondence goes to the right place. You can change your personal details by signing in to My Account, or you can contact us by phone or email.
I have paid child care or donations. Can you include this information?
Yes, we can process these. The minimum you would have to have paid in child care or donations in any one of the previous five financial years is $230.00. Our fee is 15% with a minimum of $35 and a maximum of $500 per return year. You should download a donations claim form and email, post or fax it to us for our records along with a copy of any receipts you wish to claim on.
I have received Dividends in a financial year. Do you need to know about these?
Yes we do – you should inform us of the information pertaining to the Dividends you have received, so we can incorporate this into your tax calculations. You should advise us that you have received dividends on your application form. We will then contact you for more information, or you can complete this Dividends form now and return it to us.
I have received income from Interest bearing deposits/investments. Do you need to know about these?
Yes we do – you should inform us of the information pertaining to the Interest you have received and RWT you have paid, so we can incorporate this into your tax calculations. You should advise us that you have received interest on your application form. We will then contact you for more information, or you can complete this Interest form now and return it to us.
I receive Maori Authority distributions. Do you need to know about these?
Yes we do – you should inform us of the information pertaining to the Distributions you have received, so we can incorporate this into your tax calculations. You should advise us that you have received Maori Authority distributions on your application form. We will then contact you for more information, or you can complete this Maori Authority Distributions form now and return it to us.
I am an undischarged bankrupt, can I still apply?
Yes – this will not affect your refund amount, however we are obligated to pay your refund to the official assignee who is managing your affairs while you are undischarged. We can only process refunds after the first year with the new IRD number and any prior to that cannot be processed so will generally not be paid out to an assignee.
I owe child support payments. Can I still get a tax refund?
Yes you can if your refund exceeds your child support debt. If not the IRD will usually apply the refund amount to your outstanding child support account. You can look at your tax refund as an easy way to reduce your child support debt if you are in this situation, so don’t be afraid to apply.
Why has my refund gone to arrears?
The Inland Revenue Department automatically transfers any refunds to accounts with money owing to previous years. You can contact the IRD if you have further queries regarding the arrears.
What is an IRD number?
Your IRD number is a unique number issued to you by the Inland Revenue Department. Your IRD number may be 8 or 9 digits. You should apply for an IRD number if you earn income in New Zealand. You can find out about IRD numbers and apply at the IRD website.
What do you mean by ‘tax year’?
A tax year refers to the period 1st April – 31st March in a given year. This is different to a calendar year, and it is important that you understand that the IRD looks at your income for tax years, not calendar years. Refunds cannot be processed for the latest tax year until around mid June, e.g. for the tax year ending 31 March 2013, refunds will not be available until Mid June 2013.
What does “linking” mean?
When you are “linked” to MyTax.co.nz it means we are your tax agent, and as such we have certain access rights to information held at the IRD about you. We use this information to verify and process your tax refund. Such information might include income earnings details, employer information, tax paid, etc. When we become your tax agent, the IRD will forward us relevant correspondence, which we then promptly forward on to you.
What does “PTS” mean?
PTS stands for Personal Tax Summary. A personal tax summary (PTS) is for salary and wage earners and shows your income and tax deduction details for the year.
What are the Terms and Conditions?
View the Terms and Conditions for your tax refund.
