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Work and tax

Finding and starting a job
- Job hunting
  
  Discover jobs that would suit you, find and apply for vacancies, and prepare for interviews.
- Government jobs
  
  Search for jobs in government, sign up for job alerts and find out how to apply for government vacancies.
- When you get a job offer
  
  Before you accept a job, you need to agree on your pay, hours and working conditions. You can apply for money to help pay the costs of starting a new job.
- Trial periods
  
  A trial period is a timeframe that employers can use to find out if you are suitable for a job. An employer can dismiss you and you cannot raise a personal grievance for unjustified dismissal if the trial period was valid.
- Joining KiwiSaver when you start work
  
  When you start a new job, you’ll be automatically enrolled in KiwiSaver if you’re eligible and not already a member. If you’re not enrolled, you can join through your employer or with a KiwiSaver provider.
- Apply for a work visa
  
  If you're planning to work in New Zealand and you’re not a citizen or permanent resident of NZ or Australia, you’ll need a visa that lets you work.
Get an IRD number
- How to get an IRD number
  
  It’s important to get an IRD number as all your tax, entitlements (like student loan or Working for Families Tax Credits) and personal details are linked to this number.
- Get an IRD number for your child
  
  Your child will need an IRD number if they’re earning any money or interest, or if you’re applying for Working for Families or child support. If you’re having a baby, you can apply for one when you register their birth.
- Get an IRD number for a business or organisation
  
  Organisations need their own IRD number for tax-related activities, such as being in business, employing people, or buying, selling or transferring property.
Tax and ACC levies
- How to pay tax
  
  Some types of income have the tax taken out (deducted) before you receive it. For all other income you need to declare it to Inland Revenue and pay the tax.
- Income you pay tax on
  
  When you pay tax or do a tax return you need to know what to include as income. Check to see what counts as a source of income.
- End-of-year income tax assessments
  
  After the tax year ends on 31 March, Inland Revenue will check whether you have paid the right amount of tax. You may get a refund if you have overpaid your tax.
- Change or get a tax code
  
  If you start or stop work, remember that you may need to change the tax code you use for any other sources of income, such as NZ Superannuation, investments or another job.
- Tax on investments and savings
  
  You pay tax on income from all your savings and investments, whether they're in NZ or overseas. Your tax rate is based on your income.
- Payroll giving
  
  You can donate money to charities and approved organisations directly from your pay.
- Paying tax if you come to work in NZ
  
  If you’re coming to NZ to work, you’ll need to pay tax.
- Working after 65: ACC levies and entitlements
  
  If you plan to keep working after you turn 65, find out how this affects your Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) levies. You can also learn what support you may get if you’re injured in an accident.
Workers’ rights
- Minimum wage
  
  Employees must be paid at least the minimum hourly wage rate for every hour worked.
- When you have a problem at work
  
  If you have a problem at work talk to your boss directly. If you cannot solve it you can get help from government and other organisations. Some of this help is free.
- If you’re fired or unfairly dismissed
  
  If the process to fire you has not been handled properly or the reason you’ve been fired is not valid, you can raise a personal grievance with your employer.
- Discrimination at work
  
  It’s against the law to be treated unfairly in the workplace or when you apply for a job.
Public holidays and work
- Dates for public holidays and anniversary days
  
  Dates when employees get national public holidays and regional anniversary days.
- Working on public holidays
  
  Find out how you’ll be paid if you do or do not work on a public holiday and what your employment rights are as an employee.
- Public holidays over Christmas and New Year
  
  There are 4 public holidays over Christmas and New Year.
- Working over Easter
  
  Only Good Friday and Easter Monday are public holidays. Easter Sunday is not a public holiday, and shops can choose to open if their local council lets them.
- Days in lieu (alternative holidays)
  
  If you work on a public holiday and it’s a day you usually work, you may get a paid day off you can take later. This is usually called an alternative holiday or a day in lieu.
- Shift workers and public holidays
  
  You’ll be paid at least time and a half for the hours you work on a public holiday. You’ll also get a day in lieu (alternative holiday) if it’s a day you usually work.
- Transferring a public holiday
  
  Anyone can ask their employer to transfer a public holiday to another day.
Take leave from work
- Annual holidays
  
  Find out the amount of annual leave you can get, how to apply for it and how much you'll get paid. Learn how to trade in your annual holidays for cash and take unpaid leave.
- Sick leave
  
  You may be able to take paid sick leave when you’re unwell or if you need to care for a sick partner, child or other dependent person.
- Parental leave
  
  As a parent or carer you may be able to take parental leave. Learn about the different types of support you can get and the conditions you need to meet while on leave and if you decide to return to work or not.
- Bereavement leave
  
  You may be able to take up bereavement leave from work if someone close to you dies or if you need to attend a funeral or tangi.
- Family violence leave
  
  If you, or a child in your care, are affected by domestic and family violence, you can ask your employer for paid family violence leave and flexible working arrangements.
Retiring from work
- Planning for retirement
  
  It pays to plan for your retirement as early as possible.
- Your last pay when you retire
  
  When you leave your job because you’re retiring, check that your final pay is taxed correctly. If it’s not, you could get a bill from Inland Revenue at the end of the tax year.
- Retirement age
  
  There is no official retirement age in New Zealand. The common age to retire is 65 when NZ Super and some other pension payments start.
- New Zealand Superannuation and the Veteran’s Pension
  
  NZ Superannuation is a universal payment for NZ citizens and residents who are 65 or older. If you've served in New Zealand's Armed Forces you might be able to apply for a Veteran’s Pension instead.
- SuperGold cards
  
  If you get NZ Superannuation or a Veteran's Pension, you'll get a SuperGold Card. Use it to get business discounts, free or discounted council services, and free off-peak travel on public transport.
- Managing your money in retirement
  
  Most people get NZ Superannuation when they turn 65, but there are other sources of income you might use to support yourself.
- Retirement villages
  
  Moving to a retirement village is a big decision — it's important to get independent advice.
Self-employed or running a business
Your last pay when you leave a job

Work and tax

Finding and starting a job

Get an IRD number

Tax and ACC levies

Workers’ rights

Public holidays and work

Take leave from work

Retiring from work