When did the $60k threshold last change?

The current $60,000 threshold has been in force since 1 April 2009, lifted from the previous $40,000 level set in 2000. Before that the threshold was $30,000 from GST’s introduction in 1986. There is no inflation indexation on the threshold — it is set in the Goods and Services Tax Act 1985 and changes only by legislation. Source: IRD.

Does a one-off large invoice count?

You can exclude a one-off sale of a capital asset (e.g. selling a vehicle or equipment) or a sale tied to ceasing a taxable activity. So if your normal turnover is $50,000 but you sell a van for $20,000, you don’t automatically have to register. Recurring taxable supplies — sales, services, recurring contracts — all count toward the $60,000.

Should I register voluntarily?

Voluntary registration is available below the threshold. It is generally worthwhile if your customers are GST-registered businesses (they reclaim the GST you charge), or if you have material input GST to recover on capital purchases. It is generally not worthwhile if your customers are mostly private individuals (they bear the 15% as a real cost) and your input GST is small.

Can I de-register if turnover drops?

Yes. If your turnover has fallen and you reasonably expect taxable supplies in the next 12 months to be below $60,000, you can apply to de-register. On de-registration you must account for GST on any business assets retained (deemed supply at market value), so there can be a one-off cost. IRD reviews de-registration applications case by case.

GST Published 2026-06-06 · 6 min read

GST registration threshold NZ — $60,000 in 12 months

When you must register for GST, what counts toward the $60,000 turnover threshold, when voluntary registration helps, and how your turnover band sets your filing frequency. Sourced from IRD.

In one paragraph

You must register for GST if your taxable supplies exceed $60,000 in any rolling 12-month period — looking backward at the last 12 months, or forward at the next 12. The threshold is per registered person, not per activity. Once registered, you charge 15% GST on taxable supplies, file periodic returns (6-monthly, 2-monthly or monthly depending on turnover band), and can claim input GST on business expenses. Source: IRD — GST.

The $60,000 threshold — looking backward and forward

The threshold is two-sided. You must register if (a) your taxable supplies in the past 12 months exceeded $60,000, or (b) there is a reasonable expectation your taxable supplies in the next 12 months will exceed $60,000. The 12-month windows roll continuously — you don’t reset at 31 March. The threshold has been at $60,000 since 1 April 2009. Source: IRD — GST.

What counts toward the threshold

Counts in:

All sales of goods and services made in the course of a taxable activity in NZ
Zero-rated supplies (exports, going-concern sales) — at their gross value
Recurring services, subscription revenue, contractor invoicing

Doesn’t count:

Exempt supplies (residential rent, financial services)
One-off sale of a capital asset (e.g. selling business equipment or a vehicle)
Sale on cessation of a taxable activity
Salary and wages (PAYE income from an employer is not your taxable supply)

Voluntary registration below the threshold

You can register voluntarily before crossing the $60,000 mark. It is worth doing where:

Your customers are mostly GST-registered businesses — they reclaim the GST you charge, so the 15% is not a real price increase.
You have significant input GST to recover (startup capex, equipment, vehicles, software).
You want to project a larger commercial profile (some B2B customers prefer GST-registered suppliers).

It is rarely worth doing where most of your customers are private individuals (the 15% becomes a sticker-price increase you absorb) and your input GST is small.

What changes on registration

Once registered, you must:

Charge 15% GST on taxable supplies (or 0% on zero-rated supplies)
Issue tax invoices with your GST number, the GST-inclusive total, and the GST amount (for supplies above $200)
File a GST return every period (see frequencies below)
Pay any net GST owed to IRD, or claim a refund for net input GST
Keep records for at least 7 years

Filing frequency by turnover band

Your filing period is set by your taxable supplies in 12 months:

6-monthly — turnover under $500,000. Two returns per year. Available by election.
2-monthly — turnover up to $24 million. Six returns per year. This is the default for most small businesses.
Monthly — required if turnover exceeds $24 million; also available by election (often used by exporters who want input-GST refunds back faster).

You can elect a more frequent period than required, but not less frequent than the band you fall into. Source: IRD — GST.

Related on TaxAccountants.co.nz

NZ GST rate — 15% since 1 October 2010.
GST add/remove calculator.
NZ income tax rates 2026.
Provisional tax 2026 — when your RIT crosses $5,000.

Close to $60k and not sure?

Backdated registration, voluntary timing, and the 6-month vs 2-month election all interact. We refer every quote request to Lynch & Associates, our Auckland partner firm of CAANZ-member accountants and IRD-registered tax agents, who will reply within one business day.

Get a quote — free for users

Sources

IRD — GST

Editorial note: The threshold and frequency bands are set in the Goods and Services Tax Act 1985. Verified 2026-06-06.

Disclosure: TaxAccountants.co.nz is an introduction service. Quote requests are referred to Lynch & Associates Chartered Accountants.