A GST calculator helps you quickly work out GST amounts for invoices, expenses, and tax returns.
In New Zealand, the Goods and Services Tax (GST) is a value-added tax applied to most goods and services nationwide. The government introduced GST to make tax administration simpler and ensure every Kiwi taxpayer pays their fair share.
Currently, the GST rate in New Zealand is 15%, and it applies to most goods and services, including those imported from overseas. Whether you’re running a business, working as a contractor, freelancing, or simply doing your regular shopping, understanding GST is essential to set the right prices, keep your financial records accurate, and pay your taxes on time.
For New Zealanders, a GST calculator can help you speed up your calculations, reduce mistakes, and save valuable time when you’re preparing invoices, sorting expense reports, or filing your GST returns with the IRD.
| Rate | Type | Applicable Goods/Services |
|---|---|---|
| 15% (Standard) | Standard | All taxable goods and services |
| 9% (Reduced) | Reduced Rate | Long-term hotel accommodation (over 4 weeks) |
| 0% (Zero) | Zero Rate | Exports, financial services, international transport, land transactions |
Goods and Services Tax (GST) is New Zealand’s consumption tax on most goods and services. Introduced in 1986, GST is collected by businesses on behalf of the government, with the tax paid by end consumers to fund public services.
Standard-rated (15%) – Most goods and services. Businesses charge GST and claim credits on expenses.
Zero-rated (0%) – No GST charged but must be reported. Includes exports, overseas services, and certain land sales.
Exempt – No GST charged and no credits claimable. Includes residential rentals, financial services, and some non-profit activities.
Understanding these categories helps Kiwi businesses stay compliant with IRD requirements.
Using the GST Calculator is quick and straightforward. Follow these simple steps:
Enter an Amount – Input any value in New Zealand Dollars (NZD).
Choose a Mode – Select whether to add GST, remove GST, or switch between Exclusive ↔ Inclusive using the toggle.
Automatic Calculation – The calculator applies the 15% GST rate set by the Inland Revenue Department (IRD).
For more precision, you can adjust decimal places to suit accounting or invoicing needs. After clicking Calculate, the tool instantly shows:
Net Amount (GST-exclusive)
GST Amount (15%)
Total Amount (GST-inclusive)
Visual Pie Chart showing the proportion of GST versus net
For business convenience, you can export results as CSV or PDF for bookkeeping, client invoices, or financial records. For Australian tax calculations, try the GST Calculator for Australia for accurate results.
To use the GST Calculator effectively, it’s helpful to understand the formulas:
Adding GST:GST-exclusive amount × 1.15 = GST-inclusive amount
Extracting GST from total:GST-inclusive amount × 3 ÷ 23 = GST amount
Removing GST:GST-inclusive amount ÷ 1.15 = GST-exclusive amount
These formulas provide accurate results for any transaction.
You must register for GST in New Zealand if your taxable supplies exceed NZD $60,000 in any 12 months, or if you reasonably expect your turnover to exceed this threshold in the near future. This includes situations where signed contracts, planned expansions, or steady business growth indicate that the limit will be crossed.
Smaller businesses may choose to register voluntarily, even if their turnover is below NZD $60,000. However, once registered, you are required to:
Charge GST on taxable sales
Issue GST-compliant invoices
File regular GST returns with Inland Revenue
If you advertise prices as GST-inclusive or claim GST credits on business expenses, you must be registered. Charging GST while unregistered is not permitted and is considered a breach of Inland Revenue (IRD) rules.
Source: IRD GST Registration — ird.govt.nz
The Goods and Services Tax (GST) rate in New Zealand is 15%. This rate is set by Inland Revenue (IRD) and applies to most goods and services sold in New Zealand.
New Zealand uses GST (Goods and Services Tax), not VAT. While GST and VAT are similar in concept, GST is the official tax system used and regulated by IRD in New Zealand.
Calculating GST for your business involves determining whether you need to add GST, remove it, or extract it from an inclusive total. A GST calculator simplifies this process.
Adding GST: Multiply the GST-exclusive amount by 1.15 to get the GST-inclusive price.
Removing GST: Divide the GST-inclusive amount by 1.15 to get the GST-exclusive price.
Extracting GST: Multiply the GST-inclusive amount by 3 and divide by 23 to calculate the GST portion.
Businesses should regularly calculate GST on invoices, purchases, and sales to maintain accurate financial records. Additionally, keeping detailed transaction logs ensures compliance during GST return submissions to the IRD.
Yes, certain goods and services are GST-exempt, meaning GST is not charged on them. Common exemptions include:
Financial services, like interest on loans and certain insurance policies.
Residential rent for private housing.
Donations to registered charities.
Certain educational services and government fees.
Understanding these exemptions is crucial for accurate invoicing and GST reporting. Charging GST on exempt items or failing to charge GST on taxable items can lead to errors and potential penalties from the IRD.
To calculate GST in New Zealand:
GST Amount = Price × 15%
Example:
If the price is $200 (excluding GST):
GST = 200 × 0.15 = $30
Total price including GST = $230
To find the GST component from a total price that already includes GST, divide the total by 1 plus the GST rate. For example, if a total price is $115 and GST is 15%, GST = $115 ÷ 1.15 × 0.15 ≈ $15. This separates the tax from the total.
The GST component refers to the amount of tax included in a price. If you know the total price, divide by 1 plus the GST rate to get the net price, then subtract it from the total. Example: Total = $115, GST rate = 15% → $115 ÷ 1.15 ≈ $100 net, GST component = $115 − $100 = $15.
If $1,000 is excluding GST, the GST is $150, making the total $1,150.
If $1,000 is including GST, the GST portion is $130.43.
A GST Calculator NZ helps avoid confusion by calculating this instantly.
Yes. You can safely use an online GST calculator such as gstcalculatornz.com, which uses the official IRD GST rate (15%) to provide accurate and reliable calculations for both GST-inclusive and GST-exclusive amounts.
GST can be calculated on both:
Net (GST-exclusive) prices when adding GST
Gross (GST-inclusive) prices when removing GST
A GST calculator clearly shows both values for better transparency.
To calculate GST from a GST-inclusive price (backwards calculation):
GST = Total price × 3 ÷ 23
Example:
For a total price of $230:
GST = 230 × 3 ÷ 23 = $30
This method is built into GST calculators for accuracy.
To add 15% GST:
Total price = GST-exclusive price × 1.15
Example:
$500 × 1.15 = $575
Our GST calculator automatically applies this formula using IRD rates.
You can calculate 15% GST by:
Multiplying the amount by 0.15, or
Dividing the amount by 10, then adding half of that value
However, using a GST Calculator NZ ensures faster and error-free results.
To remove GST:
GST-exclusive price = Total price ÷ 1.15
Example:
$1,150 ÷ 1.15 = $1,000
This calculation is commonly used for invoices and accounting.
To remove 15% GST in Excel, use:
Where A1 contains the GST-inclusive amount.
This gives you the GST-exclusive price based on the IRD GST rate.
GSTCalculatorNZ.com provides general information for guidance purposes only and is not professional tax, accounting, or legal advice. The calculator is designed to deliver accurate results using the current IRD GST rates and official formulas, helping you quickly and reliably calculate GST-inclusive, GST-exclusive, and GST amounts.