When you hire in New Zealand, you — as the employer — are responsible for calculating, withholding, and submitting payroll taxes from your team members’ pay slips. For some taxes, you are also required to make employer contributions.

In this article, we’ll explain clearly which taxes you need to withhold, which taxes you need to contribute to, and how to remit and make payments. So let’s jump straight in.

What is payroll tax?

Payroll taxes are the contributions employees and businesses make to the government to fund public programs, such as retirement, healthcare, and unemployment insurance. They typically include income tax and social contributions, and are set at pre-determined rates.

These rates (and the rules governing them) vary by country, but it’s every employer’s responsibility to ensure they are compliant, and that they are withholding and submitting the correct amounts.

What is the difference between payroll taxes and corporate taxes?

Generally, payroll taxes are tied to your employees’ wages, while corporate taxes are based on your company’s profits.