New Zealand's GST Tax

GST or Goods and Services Tax is the New Zealand equivalent of VAT.

It is a sales tax that is applied at the universal rate of 15% on almost everything you buy - notable exceptions are:

• house sales
• house rentals
• privately sold second-hand goods
• financial services such as mortgages, loans and investments
• the sale of a business that is capable of being a going concern. 

One thing to be aware of as a migrant to New Zealand is that GST (and duty) is charged on imports of household goods to New Zealand if you are on a work visa of less than one year or a visitor's visa valid for less than three years - but not if you have a permanent residence, work to residence or long term business visa.

GST should almost always be included in the price you see in shops and advertisements; where it is not, for example in office supply catalogues and quotes by trades people, it should be clearly indicated.

For an exhaustive list of GST exemptions and more information about GST, see the Inland Revenue website.

Please contact us if you have any questions about the financial side of life in New Zealand, and don't forget to order your free copy of our comprehensive New Zealand Guide.