Start and end dates

The bright-line test applies if your bright-line end date for the property is within 2 years of your bright-line start date.

The table below shows types of acquisition and the date the bright-line period starts for each.

Bright-line start date
Type of acquisition	Date to use
Standard purchase of a property	Date the transfer of the property is registered to you with Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) (usually the settlement date)
Subdivided land — property you have subdivided	The original date of registration for the undivided property
Partitioned land — land that results from subdividing land you co-own	Generally, the date the undivided land was registered to you with LINZ (exceptions apply)
Off the plans — property acquired relying on the completion of a land development or subdivision	Date you entered into a sale and purchase agreement
Change of trustee — land transferred from a trustee of a trust to another trustee of the trust	Bright-line start date for the original trustee
Joint tenancy converted to a tenancy in common or tenancy in common converted to a joint tenancy	To the extent the person’s share in the land is unchanged, the bright-line start date for the land before the tenancy was converted
Purchase where no registration happens before the sale date	Date you acquired an interest in the property
Freehold estate converted from a lease with a perpetual right of renewal	Date you were first granted the leasehold estate
Land outside New Zealand	Date the transfer of the property is registered to you under foreign laws

The table below shows various types of disposals and the date to use for the bright-line end date.

Bright-line end date
Type of disposal	Date to use
Standard sale of a property	Date you entered into a sale and purchase agreement
Gifting of property	Date the gift was made
Compulsory acquisition by the Crown, a local authority or a public authority	Date of compulsory acquisition
Mortgagee sale	Date the property is disposed of by or for the mortgagee because the mortgagor defaulted (usually the settlement date)
Disposals not covered above	Date you disposed of the property

If more than 1 type of disposal applies, use the earliest date.

You can read more about start and end dates in our guide — Bright-line property tax – IR1229.