Why should I apply for a rebate?
You didn’t donate to get a rebate - we get that. New Zealanders are generous with time and money by nature.
But if it remains unclaimed after 4 years, it's gone.
Close to $250 million goes unclaimed in New Zealand every year, meaning IRD may have an estimated $1 Billion waiting to be claimed – is some of it yours?
If yes, this means your rebate will sit making no difference at all.
Rather than letting it sit unused, you can claim your rebate through your myIR account and choose to donate it back to ChildFund New Zealand at the end of the process.
You can also amend previous returns (generally up to four years) to add missed donations - do this by logging in, reviewing your returns, and adding forgotten expenses, income, or donations.
Remember, you can request past receipts from ChildFund New Zealand at any time.
How to claim your tax credit
Keep it, or pass it on. But don't leave it.
Log in or register at myIR (select donation tax credits when signing up).
From your homepage, under Accounts summary, choose Donation tax credit.
Click Add a receipt & Enter the organisation name: ChildFund New Zealand.
Charity registration number: CC10081.
Enter the IRD number listed on your receipt.
Organisation type: select Other, then click Next.
Upload your receipt (PDF, scan or photo). Add a short description (e.g. “Tax receipt 2025”).
Review the details and click Next.
Choose whether to transfer your credit (e.g. donate it back to ChildFund New Zealand) or receive it yourself, then click Submit.
FAQ's - Tax Rebates
Yes - you will receive an annual tax receipt at the end of the financial year. If you qualify, you can claim a 33.33% tax credit on a donation of $5 or more.
Anyone claiming as an individual (rather than a trust, partnership or company). You need to have earned taxable income during the tax year you are claiming donation tax credits for and you need to be a New Zealand tax resident during the tax year you are claiming a donation tax credit for (1 April to 31 March).
- Donations of $5 or more.
- Donations to a New Zealand-registered charitable organisation, like ChildFund New Zealand
- Donations made to an IRD Approved Donee.
- One-off donations or regular giving (monthly or ongoing donations).
- Charity shop purchases or any purchase where you receive goods or services in return.
- Street appeals where a donation receipt has not been issued or the donation total is less than $5.
- Donations that provide any direct benefit to you or your family or have been given via a will.
You can claim donation tax credits for the past four years of giving.
After April 1st 2026, donations made in the financial year 1st April 2025 to 31st March 2026 can be claimed.
ChildFund New Zealand will start the process of creating consolidated receipts in the first 2 weeks on April, aiming to ensure all supporters receive a receipt by the end of April 2026
Proof of donation in the form of a receipt or annual tax receipt. The receipt needs to include the following:
- Your name, or your spouse or partner’s name,
- amount and date of the donation,
- the stipulation that the receipt is for a donation,
- a signature by an authorised person (e.g. charity CEO),
- the organisation letterhead or official stamp,
- the organisation’s IRD number or Charity Services number.
Check your inbox, mail or contact the organisation you donated to and they’ll recreate it for you.
Most organisations will usually have a tax receipt contact on their website.
However, most charities will automatically send out your annual tax receipts via email or mail in April to May.
You can claim donations to most schools and parent-teacher associations.
A general donation to the school, voluntary contributions, donations for curriculum-related items including class trips or classroom equipment. Donations to schools where a donation receipt is issued (or the donation is identified as ‘donation’ within a receipt from the school).
- Direct fees of any kind, including:
- tuition fees,
- private school fees,
- exam fees,
- membership fees for school groups or tertiary education fees.
- Costs of activities that are not part of the school curriculum.
- Costs of materials for projects to be completed at home.
Use your IR account with the IRD to submit donation receipts, do it all at once or throughout the year. To claim your donation tax credit with the IRD, go to IRD website:
https://www.ird.govt.nz/income-tax/income-tax-for-individuals/individual-tax-credits/tax-credits-for-donations/submit-a-donation-receipt