Crypto Tax in NZ

Inland Revenue's treatment of crypto, the records to keep and the new reporting rules, in plain English.

Last updated Guides

The short answer

  • Inland Revenue treats crypto-assets as property, and in most cases the amounts you get from selling, trading or exchanging them are taxable, including swapping one crypto for another.
  • Keep a record of every transaction, declare taxable crypto income in your income tax return, and expect NZ crypto providers to ask for your tax residency under reporting rules that started on 1 April 2026.
On this page

How Inland Revenue treats crypto, permalink

Inland Revenue treats crypto-assets as a form of property for tax purposes. Tax may apply if you acquired crypto to sell or exchange it, if you trade it, or if you use it in a profit-making scheme, so the reason you bought it matters.

Buying and selling crypto is not subject to GST. If you have taxable income from crypto, you need to file an individual income tax return (IR3).

What counts as a disposal, permalink

  • Selling crypto for NZD or another currency.
  • Exchanging one crypto for another, including swaps.
  • Using crypto to pay for goods or services.
  • Giving crypto to another person.

Records to keep, permalink

  • The date and type of each transaction: buy, sell, swap, transfer, payment or gift.
  • The amounts of crypto and NZD involved, and the NZD value at the time.
  • Fees you paid, including trading and network fees.
  • The platform or wallet used and the addresses involved.
  • Why you acquired the crypto, if you bought it for a particular purpose.

New reporting rules from 1 April 2026, permalink

New Zealand has adopted the OECD's Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework. From 1 April 2026, NZ-based businesses that exchange crypto for customers must collect each customer's identifying information and tax residency, and report relevant transactions to Inland Revenue each year.

The first reporting period runs from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027, with reports due by 30 June 2027, and Inland Revenue can share the information with other tax authorities. You do not need to register for these rules, but give accurate details when a provider asks, as penalties can apply for missing or false information. Flow asks you to confirm your tax residency during verification.

How Flow's tax report helps, permalink

Flow's dashboard can summarise your recorded Flow activity for a New Zealand tax year and export it as a CSV, with gain and loss estimates using FIFO. It is informational only and covers Flow activity, so combine it with records from any other platforms and wallets you use.

When to get tax advice, permalink

  • You trade often or hold crypto for short periods.
  • You receive crypto from staking, mining, lending or airdrops.
  • Your tax residency has changed or you hold crypto overseas.
  • You have losses to claim or records you cannot complete.

Sources, permalink