[Jo and Andy]

To the fonts of all knowledge out there.

Should we apply for an IRD No before we get there,

If so how long does it take, have I left it too late (yet again).

Hopefully soon I will be able to help people by answering the questions instead of continually asking them.

Thanks all

[jubjub]

You dont have to, I am sure folks have got them over the phone once in NZ, but its one less thing to do when you get here, think ours took about amonth to come through, so if you are leaving soon, then get them when you are here.

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

You will need to tell you bank as soon as you get it, so you get charged the right amount of tax on any interest

[veronica]

ours took two weeks and we went into the IRD office and applied once we were here. If you can get it sorted before you leave then I agree its a good idea to do it as it is one less thing to worry about.

[Tia Maria]

Do you need IRD numbers for children, (ours are aged 2 & 4)? We were thinking of opening bank accounts for them in NZ, and I wasn't sure if there was a tax issue, or whether children are exempt from paying tax on interest.

The very useful link you gave jubjub, does make reference to children's IRD, but only in terms of claiming Family Assistance.

Anyone got one for their children?

Definitely going to get the adult ones done, before we go, now I know.

Cheers!

[shagen]

I think you need IRD numbers only when you are working and are paying taxes. I got mine over the phone. I was aksed to fax my passport over and after 3 days, got my number and a week later a card with the number.

My wife still has not got an IRD number and we have not run into any problems even when opening a bank account.

I am quite sure kids don't need one.

[markkellaway]

Hi Jo,

I think it's a good idea to get them before you get here. We just gave a friends address in case it arrived after we did and they opened it for us and emailed us the numbers. Feel free to put our address if you like and you can change it when you are settled (which we have yet to do!!!).

PM if you like.

Cheers,

Mark. :)

[lisa]

Hi

unfortunately children do have to pay tax on their savings here (bit mean really!!)

Lisa

[Tia Maria]

Following Lisa's reply, I found this link:

http://www.ird.govt.nz/yoursituation-ind/parents/parents-youngchildren-earlychildhood.html

Which confirms that children do need an IRD number if they earn any kind of income ie: have a bank account, trust, or part time job.

So now you know.

[Miffy]

You can get them before you go but you do have to provide a NZ address, although this dosen't need to be your permant residential address.

Ian got his before he went and used the new firms address.
I did mine when I got here and it took about 2 - 3 weeks. Its just a very simple form filling exercise, a breeze after the all visa applications etc that you have to go through ;)

I didn't need it to open my bank account, but we did have a migrant account which just needed to be transferred.