Check your refund status on the IRD website

The Inland Revenue Department (IRD) lets you track your refund online through My IR, their personal tax account portal. Log in with your IRD number and password, and you'll see the status of any refund you're owed — whether it's still being processed, approved, or already sent.

If you don't have a My IR account yet, you can set one up at www.ird.govt.nz. You'll need your IRD number (printed on tax notices and your tax code declaration form) and a way to verify your identity, usually through a text message to your registered phone number.

Once logged in, look for the "Refunds" or "Tax position" section. The page will show you the amount, the date it was processed, and the payment method — direct to your bank account, cheque, or offset against other tax you owe.

Key Takeaways

  • My IR is the fastest way to check your refund status; log in with your IRD number to see whether it's being processed, approved, or already paid.
  • Direct bank transfers usually arrive within 5 to 10 working days after IRD approves the refund, though this can vary by bank.
  • If you're owed money and IRD owes you money at the same time, IRD will offset the refund against what you owe before paying you anything.
  • Cheques take longer than bank transfers and can be delayed by mail; if your cheque hasn't arrived after three weeks, contact IRD to confirm the address.
  • If your refund status shows "pending" for more than six weeks, or if you see an error in the amount, phone IRD on 0800 227 774 to speak to someone.

How long refunds take after IRD approves them

Once IRD approves your refund, the time it takes to reach you depends on how you're being paid. A direct bank transfer usually arrives within 5 to 10 working days. Some banks process faster; others take the full 10 days. Public holidays and weekends don't count as working days, so a refund approved on a Friday may not land until the following week.

A cheque takes longer because it has to be printed, posted, and then deposited by you. IRD typically mails cheques within 5 working days of approval, but the post can add another 5 to 10 days depending on where you live. If you haven't received a cheque after three weeks, contact IRD to confirm they have your correct mailing address.

IRD sometimes holds a refund if you have other tax debts. If you owe money on a student loan, child support, or a previous tax year, IRD will offset your refund against what you owe before sending you anything. This is legal and automatic — you don't need to do anything, but it means your refund may be smaller or zero.

What to do if your refund is delayed

If your refund shows as approved in My IR but hasn't arrived after 10 working days (for a bank transfer) or three weeks (for a cheque), start by checking your bank account carefully — sometimes a transfer arrives under a different name or reference than you expect. Search your transaction history for "IRD" or "Inland Revenue".

If the money genuinely hasn't arrived, phone IRD on 0800 227 774 during business hours (8 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday). Have your IRD number ready. IRD can check whether the payment was actually sent, confirm your bank details or mailing address, and reissue a cheque or investigate a missing transfer.

If your My IR account shows the refund is still "pending" after six weeks, that's also worth a phone call. Refunds usually process within four to six weeks of you filing your return, so a longer delay suggests something may need attention — a missing document, an address issue, or a query IRD needs to resolve.

Reasons your refund might not show up yet

IRD processes refunds in batches, not instantly. If you've only just filed your tax return, your refund won't appear in My IR for at least a few days, sometimes longer if you filed close to the deadline or if your return needs manual review. Returns filed in the last week of the tax year (usually March) can take longer to process because IRD receives a high volume.

Your refund may also be delayed if IRD needs more information from you — for example, proof of income, receipts for deductions you claimed, or clarification on a business loss. If this is the case, My IR will usually show a message asking you to provide documents. You can upload these through My IR or email them to IRD.

If you've changed your bank account or mailing address recently, make sure My IR has your current details. An outdated address means a cheque goes to the wrong place. A wrong bank account number means a transfer fails and has to be reissued. You can update your details in My IR under "Your details" or "Contact information".

Checking your refund before you file

You don't have to wait until you file to know whether you're owed a refund. If you're an employee and your employer has been taking tax from your pay, you can estimate your refund by comparing what you've paid in tax to what you actually owe. IRD's tax calculator on their website can give you a rough figure.

Self-employed people and contractors should keep records of all income and expenses throughout the year so you know roughly what you'll owe or be owed when you file. If you're unsure, a tax accountant or bookkeeper can give you a clearer picture before you file your return.

Filing early in the tax year (rather than waiting until the deadline) also means your refund processes sooner. If you file in May, you might have your money by July. If you file in March, you could be waiting until May or June because IRD is processing thousands of returns at once.

What happens if IRD made an error on your refund

If you believe IRD calculated your refund incorrectly — for example, they didn't include income you reported, or they allowed a deduction you didn't claim — you can object. Log into My IR and look for an "Object" or "Dispute" option, or phone IRD on 0800 227 774 to explain the error.

IRD will review your return and either confirm the refund amount is correct or recalculate it. This process can take several weeks. In the meantime, you'll still receive the refund that was originally approved; if IRD finds they owe you more, they'll send an additional payment.

Keep copies of all documents you submitted with your tax return — payslips, invoices, receipts, and any letters from IRD. These help prove your case if there's a dispute about what you reported or what you're owed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get my refund faster if I ask IRD?

No, IRD processes refunds in the order they're received and can't speed up individual cases. The fastest route is to file your return early and choose a direct bank transfer instead of a cheque. Once IRD approves the refund, the bank transfer usually arrives within 5 to 10 working days.

What if I never received a cheque IRD says they sent?

Phone IRD on 0800 227 774 with your IRD number and the date the cheque was supposed to be sent. IRD can check whether it was actually mailed and to which address. If it's been more than three weeks, ask them to reissue it or arrange a bank transfer instead.

Will IRD offset my refund if I owe child support or a student loan?

Yes. IRD automatically offsets refunds against child support, student loan debt, and other tax debts you owe. You won't receive any money until those debts are cleared. If you think the offset is wrong, contact IRD to dispute it.

How do I know if My IR has my correct bank account details?

Log into My IR and go to "Your details" or "Contact information". Your registered bank account should be listed there. If it's wrong or outdated, update it before you file your return so the refund goes to the right place.

What if I filed my return but don't see a refund in My IR yet?

IRD usually takes 4 to 6 weeks to process a return and show a refund status in My IR. If it's been longer than that, check whether IRD has sent you a message asking for more information. If not, phone 0800 227 774 to ask whether your return is still being processed.