What is the income year FBT return (IR421)?

The income year FBT return (IR421) is for close companies that provide fringe benefits only to shareholder-employees. It covers the same period as the company's income tax year and is due on the same date as the company income tax return. To qualify: the company must be a close company, gross PAYE plus ESCT must be $1,000,000 or less in the previous year, OR the company must provide no more than two motor vehicles to shareholder-employees AND no other fringe benefits. The IR421 simplifies compliance for owner-operated companies by aligning FBT with annual income tax filing.

What are the FBT cash flow implications of each option?

Quarterly filing (IR420) requires four payments per year (20 July, 20 October, 20 January, 31 May), spreading the cash outflow but creating the highest compliance burden. Annual filing (IR422) requires one payment by 31 May, helping cash flow during the year but creating a single large bill. Income year filing (IR421) aligns with your income tax due date and simplifies compliance further but defers the cash outflow even longer. Annual and income year filing also delay any FBT refunds (e.g. from Q4 wash-up) by up to 12 months.

How do I switch from quarterly to annual FBT filing?

Send a message in myIR or write to IRD electing annual filing, including the FBT year you want it to apply from. The election must be made by the last day of the first FBT quarter the change applies to (so by 30 June 2026 for the 2027 FBT year starting 1 April 2026). You cannot switch mid-year. Once elected, you continue filing annually as long as you remain eligible. If you exceed the $1m PAYE+ESCT threshold, you must switch back to quarterly from the next FBT year.

When are FBT returns due in NZ?

Quarterly IR420 returns are due 20 July (Q1), 20 October (Q2), 20 January (Q3), and 31 May (Q4 wash-up). The annual IR422 return is due 31 May. The income year IR421 return is due on the same date as the company's annual income tax return, which depends on the balance date. Late filing penalties and use-of-money interest apply if returns or payments are late.

FBT Filing Frequency Calculator NZ | Quarterly vs Annual vs Income Year

FBT Filing Frequency Calculator NZ

Most NZ employers default to filing FBT quarterly (IR420), but many qualify to file annually (IR422) or by income year (IR421) instead, cutting compliance work by 75% and aligning FBT payment with income tax. This tool tests eligibility against the $1m PAYE+ESCT threshold and close company rules, then tells you which return type you can use and what to elect. Most small businesses don't realise they can simplify their FBT compliance this way.

Updated April 2026 Tests eligibility under sections RD 60 and RD 61 of the Income Tax Act 2007. Threshold raised to $1m from 2017-18 income year onwards.

Step 1: Employee profile

Who do you provide fringe benefits to?

Step 2: PAYE and ESCT

Gross PAYE plus ESCT for the previous tax year

Combined total of PAYE deductions and Employer Superannuation Contribution Tax for the year ended 31 March of the previous year. Find this in your IR348 monthly schedules or annual reconciliation. The threshold for annual / income year filing is $1,000,000. Were you an employer in the previous tax year?

New employers can elect annual or income year filing in their first year regardless of expected PAYE amount.

Step 4: Compliance preference (optional)

What matters most to you?

The three FBT filing options

Quarterly (IR420) - the default

All employers must file quarterly unless they qualify and elect for one of the alternative options. Four returns per year covering quarters ending 30 June, 30 September, 31 December, and 31 March. Returns are due on the 20th of the following month, except Q4 which is due 31 May (because of the wash-up calculation). Quarterly filing requires four cash payments and four sets of working papers per year.

Annual (IR422) - for smaller employers with ordinary employees

One return per year covering 1 April to 31 March, due 31 May. Eligible if you provide benefits only to ordinary employees (not shareholder-employees) AND either your gross PAYE plus ESCT for the previous year was $1,000,000 or less, OR you were not an employer in the previous tax year. This is the simplest filing option for businesses with FBT-taxable benefits provided to staff.

Income year (IR421) - for close companies with shareholder vehicles

One return per year covering the company's income tax year (matching the income tax due date). Eligible if you are a close company providing benefits to shareholder-employees AND either gross PAYE plus ESCT was $1,000,000 or less, OR you provide no more than two motor vehicles to shareholder-employees and no other fringe benefits (even above the threshold). Aligns FBT with income tax compliance and is popular with owner-operator companies.

When you can mix options

Some businesses qualify for multiple options. A close company under $1m PAYE+ESCT with both ordinary employees AND shareholder-employees could file either quarterly OR annually for the ordinary employees, but the shareholder-employee benefits typically need separate treatment. In practice, most small close companies pick income year filing (IR421) for the simplest combined compliance.

Cash flow trade-off

Annual and income year filing improve in-year cash flow because you hold the FBT money for up to 12 months before paying it. The trade-off is a single large bill rather than four smaller ones, which can be a problem if you don't accrue for it monthly. Quarterly filing forces discipline and creates a smoother cash outflow.

Annual filing limitations

No shareholder-employees: The IR422 annual option is strictly for ordinary employees. If you provide ANY benefits to shareholder-employees, you must use quarterly or income year filing instead.
Q4 wash-up timing: If you use the annual option, the Q4 alternate rate calculation happens once per year on 31 May, meaning any refund waits up to 12 months.
Threshold breaches: If your PAYE+ESCT exceeds $1m in any year, you must revert to quarterly filing the following year.
Election timing: The election to file annually or by income year must be made by the last day of the first FBT quarter the change applies to (typically 30 June). Late elections are not accepted.

Sources

This calculator provides general guidance only. Always verify your treatment with a tax adviser or refer to ird.govt.nz. The election rules around timing are strict and irreversible mid-year, so confirm your eligibility before electing.

Related calculators

FBT Quarterly Return Estimator (IR420) — build the quarterly return total
FBT Attribution Calculator — Q4 wash-up calculation
NZ FBT Calculator — calculate FBT on individual benefits
Close Company Vehicle Calculator — relevant for income year filers
GST on FBT Calculator — the 3/23 GST adjustment