Freelancing in NZ and need to send an invoice for freelance work? Whether you're a designer, writer, photographer, consultant or developer, Here's exactly what goes on your invoice, how GST works for freelancers, and how to create a professional PDF instantly for $1 — no spreadsheet, no subscription.
Updated May 2026 · Based on current IRD requirements
Freelancers in NZ are treated as sole traders for tax purposes. The GST threshold is the same as any other business — $60,000 turnover in any rolling 12-month period. That's combined income from all your freelance clients, not per client.
| Annual freelance income | GST required? | Invoice type |
|---|---|---|
| Under $60,000 | No | Standard invoice — no GST |
| Over $60,000 | Yes — must register | Tax Invoice — 15% GST |
| Voluntary registration | Optional below $60k | Tax Invoice — 15% GST |
Here's what a clean, IRD-compliant freelance invoice looks like for a non-GST registered designer:
| Description | Amount |
|---|---|
| Brand identity design — logo + style guide | $1,200.00 |
| Social media template pack × 10 | $450.00 |
| Revisions — 2 rounds | $200.00 |
No GST number, no "Tax Invoice" label — correct for freelancers earning under $60,000.
Snap a photo of your job notes, or just say them out loud. TradieNotes builds a freelance invoice like this, with GST only if you are registered, within seconds. You see the full preview before you pay a cent.
Try it free with your own job →Every invoice needs a unique reference number. IRD requires this for record-keeping. Here are the most common formats:
TradieNotes generates a unique reference number automatically for every invoice — one less thing to track.
The most common NZ freelance payment terms are 7 days or 14 days from invoice date. For new clients or large projects, 7 days is recommended to reduce late payment risk.
Always include your bank account number directly on the invoice — making it easy to pay means getting paid faster. You can also add a note like "Late payments may incur a 5% fee" though this is optional.
Preview your invoice free. Pay $1 only when you're ready to download. No monthly fee, no subscription.
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As a sole trader in New Zealand you can start invoicing immediately — no company registration, no NZBN, no accountant required. You invoice under your own name or a trading name, and your IRD number is sufficient for tax purposes until you exceed the $60,000 GST threshold.
Here's exactly how to invoice as a sole trader in NZ:
Most new freelancers and self-employed contractors in NZ are not GST registered — and that's perfectly fine under IRD rules. A non-GST invoice (sometimes called an invoice without GST) is simpler than a tax invoice, but it still has requirements. See our dedicated non-GST invoice guide for the full breakdown.
For self-employed invoicing NZ when you're not registered for GST:
| Mistake | Why it's a problem | What to do instead |
|---|---|---|
| Writing "Tax Invoice" | Implies GST registration — IRD offence if you're not registered | Just write "Invoice" |
| Showing GST at $0 | Confusing and technically incorrect | Omit the GST line entirely |
| Adding a GST number | You don't have one if not registered | Leave it off |
| Charging GST anyway | Illegal — you can't collect GST you're not registered for | Register first, then charge |
You must register for GST when your total self-employed income from all sources exceeds $60,000 in any rolling 12-month period. This is not per-client — it's combined. A freelance writer earning $40,000 from one client and $25,000 from another has crossed the $60,000 threshold and must register.
Voluntary registration is available below $60,000 and can be worthwhile if most of your clients are GST-registered businesses — they can claim the GST back, effectively reducing your price for them.
