Why Is Tax Residency Important?
To work as a driver through Road Ninja you must be a New Zealand tax resident. This is because income earned through the platform is treated as New Zealand sourced income.
Having an IRD number does not mean you are a New Zealand tax resident. IRD issue IRD numbers to non residents as well. An IRD number is only used to identify you for tax purposes. Tax residency is determined separately.
How tax residency is decided
IRD use two main tests to decide tax residency. You are considered a New Zealand tax resident if you meet either of these:
you have been in New Zealand for more than 183 days in any 12 month period
you have a permanent place of abode in New Zealand, for example a home you keep and use here
If you do not meet either test IRD will treat you as a non resident for tax purposes.
Why this matters for Road Ninja
All drivers on Road Ninja must be New Zealand tax residents. If you are not a New Zealand tax resident, we cannot activate you for work on the platform.
If you are unsure whether you are a tax resident, the correct next step is to contact IRD. Explain how often you are in New Zealand each year and whether you have a home you keep here. IRD will confirm your tax residency status. Road Ninja cannot provide tax advice and cannot confirm your residency status.
Contact details for IRD are shown at this page:
Helpful links:
Updating your status in Road Ninja
If IRD confirm that you are a New Zealand tax resident, you can update this inside the Road Ninja app:
Open the Road Ninja app and tap on the Profile tab.
Select Payments and tap on Update bank account details.
Toggle the switch for the question, "Are you a New Zealand tax resident?".
Tap Save to confirm your update.