The IR526 is a New Zealand Inland Revenue Department (IRD) form used to claim a tax credit for donations to approved donee organizations. The credit equals 33.33% of the total amount donated during the tax year ending 31 March. You must file the IR526 within four years of the end of the tax year in which you made the donations.
Any individual who earned taxable income during the tax year and made qualifying donations may file the IR526. You do not need to be a permanent resident of New Zealand. The credit is limited to the amount of income tax you paid, so if your donation credits exceed your tax liability, you will not receive a cash refund for the excess.
Approved donee organizations include registered charities, schools, kindergartens, and religious groups listed by the IRD. Each donation must be at least $5 and must be a gift of money with no benefit received in return. Payments for goods, services, childcare, or housekeeper arrangements do not qualify. Keep your official donation receipts as the IRD may ask to verify your claim.
Add up all qualifying donations made during the tax year. The IRD calculates a 33.33% credit, so a total of $300 in donations produces a $100 credit. Complete every required field on the IR526 and attach your donation receipts if filing a paper copy. You may also use donation receipt templates to organize your supporting documents before submitting the form.
Can spouses combine donations? No. Each taxpayer must file their own IR526 based on donations in their own name. Can I claim a credit for overseas charities? Only if the overseas charity is on the IRD-approved donee list. Is there a minimum donation amount? Yes, each individual donation must be at least $5 to qualify for the credit.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Form Name | IR526 Donation Tax Credit Claim Form |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Issuing Body | Inland Revenue Department (IRD) |
| Credit Rate | 33.33% of total qualifying donations |
| Tax Year | 1 April to 31 March |
| Form Length | 2 pages |
| Fillable? | No |
| Fillable fields | 0 |
| Avg. time to fill out | 30 sec |
| Other names | ird tax credit claim form 2021, ir526 form 2021, ir526 form 2020, ir526 2021 |