New Zealand GST invoicing rules: rate, threshold and corrections

GST rate

GST is charged at 15% on most goods and services sold in New Zealand. Inland Revenue (IRD) states this rate directly.

Registration threshold

You must register for GST if your taxable activity turnover was at least $60,000 over the last 12 months, or you expect it to reach at least $60,000 in the next 12 months. IRD also treats you as required to register if you carry out a taxable activity and add GST to your prices. Track rolling 12-month turnover monthly so you see the trigger early.

Taxable supply information instead of tax invoices

IRD says the tax invoice requirement has been replaced by a requirement to provide and keep taxable supply information. Registered sellers must give their customers taxable supply information for taxable supplies, and keep it. Build your invoice record so it holds the supply details IRD expects for each sale, and keep it for the full retention period.

Supply correction information

When you need to correct an error in previously provided taxable supply information, provide supply correction information. IRD says it must include:

• The seller's name or trade name and GST number.
• The date the correction was provided.
• Details that identify the original taxable supply information, such as the invoice number.
• The correction itself, including any change to the GST charged.

You must provide the correction even if the buyer has already paid. Include it in the GST return for the period in which you provided it. Model corrections as their own records linked to the original supply, so you can reconcile them to the return.

Record retention

IRD says to keep all records, including electronic ones, for at least 7 tax years. Keep the GST records behind each return for the same period.

Next step

Read the developer documentation to see how to store taxable supply information and corrections in your integration.