[batgirl1001]

Hubby is going to work straight away when in NZ and me planning to stay, organise things and get the house in order before finding a good preschool for the kid and then a part-time job.

Is it necessary for me to get a IRD immediately when I get to NZ even though I will not be working for a while?

And if I have no IRD no. can I open a savings account? What tax rate will I be charged ?

thxs

[KelvinAng]

It's best to get your IRD number as soon as possible even if you're not going to use it for a while. Without the IRD number your interests earn will be taxed at a special "no declaration" rate which I think is/was 49% (the highest declared tax rate is "only" 39%).

And yes, you can open a bank account without an IRD number, as long as you're a resident or a visa that allows stay of 12 months or more. Different banks seem to have slightly different policies. When I had my 6-month work permit, the first bank I approached say they couldn't open an account for me unless I have a minimum of a 12-month visa, but another bank says 6 months is sufficient.

[Georgebulldog]

here's some info from before

http://www.emigratenz.org/forum/showthread.php?p=206606#post206606

if you have savings coming over may be best to open an account in your name when you get your IRD number so less tax, that's what I've just been told

[lnz]

And yes, you can open a bank account without an IRD number, as long as you're a resident or a visa that allows stay of 12 months or more. Different banks seem to have slightly different policies. When I had my 6-month work permit, the first bank I approached say they couldn't open an account for me unless I have a minimum of a 12-month visa, but another bank says 6 months is sufficient.

We opened a bank account with BNZ on our recce trip. We didn't have an IRD number and we signed up as non residents. We showed our UK passports and a current UK utility bill to prove our UK address.
The non-resident tax withheld on interest earned varies by country. For the UK the interest is taxed at 10% (and the rest of the tax paid in the UK).
I'm not sure how that would work with a joint account where one person is resident and one is not. Could you call the bank and ask?

[KelvinAng]

Yeah different banks have different policies. When I tried to open a bank account, Westpac wouldn't do it as my work permit is just 6 months. ASB accepted me so they got my business!

[nate]

You'll be able to open a checking and savings account, in your situation, with or without an IRD number. But I would highly recommend getting an IRD number ASAP, since you'll be taxed at a ridiculous rate on your savings account earnings without one. It takes 2 weeks to get your IRD, and it's easy to sign up for one.

:: nate ::

[NikT]

We got our IRD numbers in 24 hours.
Fill in the form and fax it along with a copy of our photo page from Passport to Wellington.
They phoned next day with the IRD numbers and we had postal confirmation a few days later.

Nick.:cheers

[YouMeAndThree]

OH popped into his local AA in Auckland - did all the paperwork and by the time he'd got home his IRD number had already been sent out via e-mail.

[TipTopAddicts]

OH will be working straight away when we arrive, will his work sort out the IRD number (electricity distribution company) or do we have to sort out before we leave UK?

[IanW99]

OH will be working straight away when we arrive, will his work sort out the IRD number (electricity distribution company) or do we have to sort out before we leave UK?

Normally you get the IRD number yourself.

You used to be able to do it whilst still in the UK, but they changed the rules so now you have to apply from within NZ.

See IRD numbers (http://www.ird.govt.nz/how-to/irdnumbers/) for more details.

Ian

[TipTopAddicts]

Normally you get the IRD number yourself.

You used to be able to do it whilst still in the UK, but they changed the rules so now you have to apply from within NZ.

See IRD numbers (http://www.ird.govt.nz/how-to/irdnumbers/) for more details.

Ian

Thanks Ian,
Much appreciated :nice1

[Perksy]

Whatever you do don't ring them, you could be on the phone for hours. We downloaded the form of the IRD web site a few days ago, filled it in and took it in to the local tax office personally with certified photocopies of the documentation. We were in there about two minutes and told IRD number would take approx five working days.

Kim

[batgirl1001]

Thanks everyone for your replies. Helpful indeed. Will get an IRD even if I am not planning to work for a while. However just hate the idea of being under the Tax Dept's radar. :p