[RoadRunner]

I'm wondering if I should apply for an IRD number before I arrive in NZ.

I thought that if you had an IRD number, you could open a bank account without the bank taking out a large chunk of money.

Therefore, I thought I would try to get a jump on things and get both of those sorted out before going to NZ. But, am I trying to do too many things in advance? Should I just wait until I get to NZ to set all this up?

For those who have applied for an IRD number prior to arriving in NZ, what home address did you use?

Thanks in advance for any advice and suggestions!
RoadRunner

[Jules]

Hi Roadrunner

Just apply for your IRD number when you get here, it only takes a few days, then notify your bank of the number.

Jules

[sarahw]

Nah, wait 'till you're here - tax organisations are hard enough to deal with without trying to do it from abroad. Its just a simple form that you can fill out at their office & as long as you take a photocopy of your birth certificate with you it comes through within 2 weeks.

[neilw71]

Sorry - I disagree - apply in advance, then it is one thing less you will have to worry about when you arrive! Lets face it - you have enough things to worry about during the initial few weeks - why not sort as many things out in advance as you can?

We simply downloaded the .pdf, filled it in, got copies of birth certs and mailed the forms to NZ - 4 weeks later, our numbers were with us and filed away, ready for when we needed them!

http://www.ird.govt.nz/library/publications/geninfo/ir595.pdf

Thats an old link I have - not sure if the form is still there :P

Neil

[jubjub]

We got ours from here too, bank accounts opened already and as hubby starts work on monday its just as well, we have got money over there already for him arriving in the morning, saves carrying cash, and having to wait to open an account. His "to do" list is long enough as it is!

Cant remember how long they took, but Neil is about right I think with the four weeks ish.

[captainxmas]

We have pre-arranged ours, it's just one more thing that can be ticked off the list.

Also, they are willing to send the details on to a specified address in NZ if you are on the cusp of travelling eg The Agent we got the job offer through.

[jocalla]

I too applied for our ird numbers from the UK. Just wanted one less thing to think about. Glad we did, had sooooo much stuff to do when we arrived. :clap Just put our UK address on the form and it only took a couple of weeks to get it.

Joanne :cheers

[Diny]

The link that Neil posted is no longer valid (but thanks anyway). Can anybody tell me where I can d/load the application form.

Diny

[Bubbles]

Diny,
Try here. :nice1

http://www.ird.govt.nz/how-to/irdnumbers/

http://www.ird.govt.nz/forms-guides/number/forms-500-599/ir595-form-individualirdapp.html

John

[Diny]

Thank you my good man.

Diny

[Bubbles]

No worries,
Glad to have been of assistance. :yes

[captainxmas]

Diny, and I was gonna email you the pdf, if anybody else wants it though just ask.. :nice1

[RoadRunner]

Thanks everyone for the helpful comments!

I'm with the Captain and others in terms of liking to cross things off the to-do list. Although, no matter how much I do, how hard I work, how much time I spend - the list just seems to grow and grow! :?

Cheers!
RoadRunner

[Moorf]

If you do it when you get here you can get the form, fax it and receive your IRD no. the next day - no probs.

Didn't need the IRD number to open our bank acct number either.

[jonSE]

DId ours when we got here. Faxed it off am recieved a phone call by lunchtime with the number.

You don't need it to open a bank acount, you only need it to prevent you being charged 39%tax on any interest you make.

https://www.ird.govt.nz/cgi-bin/form.cgi?form=ptscalc2005

Link above is a useful calculator for those who arrived during last tax year and may have paid too much tax in NZ. Ifonly t was so simple in the UK

Jon