Your IRD number identifies your business for all its tax related events. It's unique to your business.
You need an IRD number if you're:
- setting up a company, partnership, estate, charity, trust, club, society, superannuation scheme or Māori authority
- an offshore and non-resident company, partnership, club, society, trust, charity, estate, superannuation scheme
- an employer
- selling goods and services
- buying, selling or transferring property in New Zealand
- in the property rental business.
Business structures
There are three structures commonly used for setting up a business:
- self-employed
- partnerships
- companies (including look through companies).
Each one needs an IRD number.
A self-employed contractor uses their own IRD number for their business.
A partnership needs a separate IRD number. Each partner in the partnership also needs a personal IRD number.
A company has its own IRD number and must be registered at the Companies Office.
