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Tax & Compliance

GST Returns

Managing GST can be time-consuming and complex. We simplify the process, ensuring your GST returns are accurate, timely, and compliant with New Zealand's tax regulations.

GST is one of those obligations that doesn't announce itself — it just comes around again, every one or two months, whether you're ready or not. Get it wrong and you're looking at IRD penalties, late payment interest, or an audit. Get it right every time and it simply disappears off your to-do list.

Beany handles GST as part of our accounting packages — preparation, review, and filing, so you can focus on running your business rather than reconciling invoices at 9pm the night before it's due.

Businesswomen using a tablet to analyse some financial info

Beany's GST service

  1. Transaction review All your transactions are reviewed to ensure they're accurate and complete.
  2. GST adjustments and corrections We make any necessary adjustments (e.g. accounting for private-use portions of an expense).
  3. GST return preparation and filing We prepare your GST return and following your approval, file it with Inland Revenue.
  4. Payment reminders We send email notifications with the amount due and payment date.

Filing Options

How often do you need to file?

The IRD offers three GST filing frequencies. The right one depends on your turnover, cash flow, and how your business is structured.

Monthly Filing

File and pay GST every month. More admin, but gives you more regular visibility over your GST position and suits businesses with high turnover or frequent refunds.

Two-Monthly Filing

The most common filing frequency in NZ. File every two months — balances the admin burden with regular reconciliation and a manageable payment cycle.

Six-Monthly Filing

Only available for businesses with turnover under $500,000 and no regular GST refunds. Less frequent admin, but larger payments when they fall due.

GST is just one part of
what we handle for you.

Beany doesn't onboard clients for GST alone — it's included as part of our accounting packages, alongside your income tax, annual accounts, and everything else the IRD requires. You get a complete accounting service, not just one return handled in isolation.

See our accounting packages →

GST FAQS

Frequently asked questions

A GST return is a report you must file with the IRD that summarises the GST you’ve collected and paid over a specified period of time.Depending on your business this is a monthly, two-monthly or six-monthly period.Based on the return, businesses either make a payment to the IRD or receive a refund.
If you carry out any form of business activity with a turnover of $60,000+ annually, you must be GST-registered and file GST returns. This applies to business owners, freelancers, or contractors.
This depends on your filing frequency. If you file monthly, your returns are due on the 28th of the following month. For other frequencies, check out our key dates page.
The short answer, yes. You can file via myIR or some accounting software. However, GST rules can be complex, so we recommend getting a professional to do it to ensure you meet your obligations.A GST return is not just declaring the GST on sales and the GST on purchases, but also covers special transactions that might be zero-rated or GST-exempt. Manual credit or debit adjustments may also be required (e.g. to account for private use of an asset). A tax professional looks at all of this and makes the necessary corrections and adjustments when they’re preparing your GST return.
Beany clients who use Xero.We need to be linked to the IRD as your tax agent and have access to your financial records in order to process GST returns. Currently this service is only available to our clients who use Xero.
  1. After the GST period has ended, ensure all your transactions for that reporting period are reconciled in Xero. (We will send a reminder).
  2. Once reconciled, press a button in our Beany platform to let us know that everything is ready to go and we can start preparing the GST return. We will get to work reviewing everything and making any necessary corrections and adjustments.
  3. When your GST return is ready, we’ll email you to ask you to approve it.
  4. We file it with the IRD and inform you how much you owe (or the refund amount if you’re due a refund).
  5. Relax, you’re all sorted. We also send payment reminders so you don’t miss the deadline.
Reconciling transactions - View our bookkeeping service page for further information if you'd like us to handle your reconciling as well.GST payment - We do not make any tax payments to the IRD on behalf of our clients.
View our support site

Ready to take GST off your plate?

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GST resources

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