GST Registration Periods

Starting a business – registering for GST

Goods and services tax (GST) is a tax on most goods and services in New Zealand. It also applies to imported goods and certain imported services. It is charged and accounted for at 15% on the selling price or market value of goods and services you provide.

GST is not a tax on your business income. Your customers pay this when buying your goods and services.

Registering for GST

You are required to register when your business turnover:

• for  the last 12 months was $60,000 or more, or
• for  the next 12 months you expect it to be over this threshold

A turnover of $5,000 a month is a guideline to gauge whether you are required to register.

One Monthly GST Registration

Returns are filed monthly and this option is available to all GST-registered persons.

Businesses whose taxable supplies are worth over $24 million are required to use this option.

Two Monthly GST Registration

Returns are filed on a two-monthly basis and you can choose which month you want your period to end:

• Category A – periods end on the last day of January, March, May, July, September and November
• Category B – periods end on the last day of February, April, June, August, October and December

This option is allocated to you if you do not elect your own option.

Six Monthly GST Registration

You can only use this option if the total value of your taxable supplies in any 12 months is not likely to be more than $500,000.