Free tool · NZ
Sole Trader IRD Message Generator
The fastest way to legally start trading as a sole trader in NZ is a short message to IRD via myIR. This tool drafts the exact text for you. Free, no signup, takes about two minutes.
Becoming a sole trader costs nothing. There's no separate registration. You just have to tell IRD you're trading.
Your IRD message
Kia ora, I'm starting to trade as a sole trader. I'm letting IRD know so my income tax and any GST registration questions are sorted from the start. My details: - Legal name: [your full legal name] - Business activity: [your business activity] - Trading as: Could you confirm: 1. That my IRD number is updated to reflect self-employed income 2. Whether I'm currently required to register for GST (I understand the threshold is $60,000 of sales in any 12-month period) 3. Anything else I should sort now to keep my tax tidy from day one Ngā mihi, [your full legal name]
Inside myIR, click I want to… → Send a message. Pick the topic Income tax. Paste this message in. You're a sole trader the moment IRD acknowledges it.
When this is the right path
Sole trader is the right starting point for most people building a physical service business under $60k/yr to start with — lawn mowing, cleaning, handyman work, detailing, dog walking. No separate legal entity, you and the business are the same thing for tax. You can always upgrade to a limited company later.
If you're going to be earning meaningfully more than $60k of revenue, hiring staff, or you have personal assets you want ringfenced — read the limited company guide instead.
What happens after you send
- IRD usually acknowledges within 1–2 business days inside myIR.
- You'll be told whether you need to register for GST yet (the threshold is $60,000 of sales in any 12-month period).
- Once acknowledged, you're legally trading. Invoice customers under your name (or trading name).
- At year end, you file an IR3 individual return that includes your business income and expenses.
If you want a proper second pair of eyes on your tax, IRD's self-employed page is the canonical reference.
Next
Got the IRD message sorted? Lock in the rest of the setup.
The next two steps are getting your NZBN (free, 2 minutes, builds credibility with customers) and figuring out which specific service business is the right fit for you.