Payday Filing Doesn’t Have to Be a Headache

If you’ve got employees in New Zealand, you’ve probably come across payday filing. It sounds more complicated than it is, really, it’s just about keeping your payroll organised and on schedule.

Every time you pay your team, you need to tell Inland Revenue what you’ve paid and what deductions you’ve made (PAYE, KiwiSaver, student loans, etc.).
That’s it. The challenge is making sure it happens smoothly, every pay run, without chasing deadlines or worrying about errors.

So, What Is Payday Filing?

Payday filing simply means reporting your employees’ pay details to IRD each time you pay them, not at the end of the month.

This helps:

• Keep your staff’s tax records up to date.
• Reduce surprises at year-end.
• Avoid late-filing penalties that can creep up fast.

You need to send IRD:

• The amount you’ve paid each employee.
• Any deductions (PAYE, KiwiSaver, etc.).
• Within two working days of payday.

How to File (the Easy Way)

You’ve got two main options:

1. Payroll software – systems like Xero, Smartly, or PayHero do the filing for you automatically.
2. myIR online – if you prefer manual control, you can log in and upload details yourself.

Either way, IRD’s guide keeps it simple: ird.govt.nz/payday-filing

When Do You Need to Pay?

Filing and paying aren’t the same thing.
You file within two working days of payday, but you pay your deductions (PAYE, KiwiSaver, etc.) by the 20th of the following month.

That means you can get your filing done quickly, then handle payments once a month — no rush, no stress.

If You Make a Mistake (It Happens!)

Don’t panic, IRD knows mistakes happen.
You can fix errors directly in your payroll software or log into myIR to correct them.
Here’s their guide: Fixing payday filing mistakes

Disclaimer

This article is intended as general guidance based on publicly available information and professional experience.
It is not official tax advice. Please consult your accountant or tax professional to confirm what applies to your specific situation.