Pacific · Oceania

New Zealand

59moderate

Overall Score

New Zealand is a Pacific jurisdiction. with a standard worldwide income tax regime applicable to tax residents. Corporate profits are taxed at 28%.

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Corporate Tax

28%

Personal Income Tax

39%

Capital Gains

VAT / GST

15%

Overview

Key Data

Taxation

Personal Income Tax (max)39%

Personal Income Tax (min)11%

Corporate Tax Rate28%

Capital Gains Tax0%

VAT / GST15%

Dividend Tax Rate33%

Withholding Tax33%

Territorial TaxationNo

Foreign Income Exempt—

Remittance-Based Tax—

CFC RulesYes

Tax Residency Days183 days/year

Tax Treaties—

Residency & Visa

Digital Nomad VisaNo

Golden VisaNo

Retirement VisaNo

Investment VisaYes

EU MemberNo

Schengen AreaNo

EU PassportNo

Min. Days Required / Year—

Min. Monthly Income—

Min. Investment (residency)—

Citizenship Path—

Setup Difficulty—

Business & Cost of Living

Cost of Living Index74/100

Avg. Monthly Cost—

Company Formation Time—

Formation Cost (est.)—

Annual Compliance Cost—

Free Zone AvailableNo

Banking Easeexcellent

Internet Qualityexcellent

Compliance & Reputation

FATF Statuscompliant

EU Blacklist Statusnot_listed

OECD Compliance—

CRS Participant—

FATCA Compliant—

BEPS Participant—

Treaty Network Quality—

Personal Tax Residency

Tax residency in New Zealand is generally triggered by physical presence exceeding 183 days in a calendar year. Foreign income treatment: unknown. Controlled Foreign Corporation (CFC) rules are in force. Residents who own or control foreign entities may face attribution of that entity's undistributed profits under local anti-avoidance provisions.

No general capital gains tax (bright-line test: 2 years for property). Income tax 10.5–39%. 4-year foreign-income exemption for new migrants. Active Investor Plus visa from NZD 5M. Consistently top ranked for ease of doing business. Transparent, stable jurisdiction.

Company Setup & Business Taxation

The standard corporate income tax rate is 28%. The administrative process is considered straightforward, with minimal bureaucratic friction.

Banking & Financial Access

Account opening in New Zealand can be challenging for foreign nationals or non-resident businesses, and enhanced due diligence is common practice. Internet infrastructure is excellent, with widespread fibre broadband and reliable mobile connectivity across urban and suburban areas.

Compliance & International Reputation

New Zealand is a member of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and meets its anti-money-laundering standards. EU tax blacklist status: not_listed. Structures involving this jurisdiction may attract additional scrutiny or reporting obligations under EU member state rules.

Who This Jurisdiction Works Best For

Based on our scoring model, New Zealand ranks highest for Founder / Entrepreneur and High Net Worth Individual. It offers a strong proposition for founder / entrepreneur (score: 65/100). It offers a reasonable proposition for high net worth individual (score: 59/100).

Legal Notice

The information on this page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or financial advice. Tax laws and residency rules change frequently and vary significantly by individual circumstances. Always consult a qualified professional licensed in the relevant jurisdictions before making any decisions.