Student Loan Repayments When Self-Employed in NZ
17 October 2026 · Guide · Not tax advice
Educational information only. Not tax, legal or financial advice. We are not Inland Revenue (IRD) or ACC and are not affiliated with them. Check ird.govt.nz, or ask a qualified tax agent. Last checked against official sources: October 17, 2026. Anything marked expected should be re-checked. Examples use made-up numbers. This page contains no affiliate links.
Short answer: The IRD says that if you earn income other than salary and wages, you may need to make your own student loan repayments. The amount is 12% of every dollar you earn over the repayment threshold, which the IRD lists as $24,128 for the 2026 tax year (1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026), the same as for 2025. Your salary and wages count together with your adjusted net income.
End-of-year repayment obligation (IRD)
If you have adjusted net income, you have an end-of-year obligation if that adjusted net income is $500 or more and, with any salary and wage income, it is over the annual repayment threshold. Adjusted net income is income other than salary or wages, minus expenses; losses aren't included. It includes self-employment and contracting income, withholding tax income, interest and dividends, rental properties, overseas income, partnership income, taxable property sales and more.
On your return
- If you receive income that has no automatic student loan deduction, the IRD suggests voluntary repayments or setting money aside.
- The IRD says that if you file an IR3 and have other income types that count for student loans, you complete an Adjust your income (IR215) form before filing; if an agent prepares your return, tell them they'll need to complete it for you. Types listed include non-locked-in PIE income, certain pensions and annuities, tax-exempt overseas pensions and salary, and, for self-employment, losses.
- The IR3 box numbers for these items: not verified (IR3 form not read).
Dates
The IR3 for the year to 31 March 2027 is due 7 July 2027 (expected; see IR3 page); end-of-year income tax for 2026 is due 7 February 2027 (terminal tax). The IRD student loan page lists 15 January for interim student loan repayments (they count towards your end-of-year obligation) and 8 February for end-of-year repayments (if you have an amount to pay you'll receive a letter or text). The page shows no year, so 8 February 2027 is expected; 8 February 2027 is the Waitangi Day observed holiday, so check how the IRD treats the date.
Related
FAQ
Is the threshold higher for 2027? The IRD page (last updated 15 August 2025) lists $24,128 for 2026 and 2025 only; no 2027 figure is published there.
Do I need the IR215 if I'm only self-employed? The IRD says to check its income list to see whether adjustments apply; we didn't read it.
What we could not verify
- Read in full on 17 October 2026: the IRD student loan page (last updated 15 August 2025) and the IRD adjust-your-income page (last updated 4 May 2021). The IR3 form and guide were not read.
- The repayment threshold for the 2027 tax year; whether the 8 February due date moves when it falls on a public holiday.
- Interim payment mechanics beyond the 15 January date.
- Overseas-based borrower rules and interest or penalties.
Sources (official)
- IRD, Repaying my student loan when I am self-employed or earn other income (last updated 15 August 2025) — official page (read in full October 17, 2026)
- IRD, Adjusting your income for Working for Families and student loans (last updated 4 May 2021) — official page (read in full October 17, 2026)