Home Business · NZ Guide 2026
Running a home business in NZ? Whether you bake cakes, make candles, clean houses or do garden maintenance — here's exactly what goes on your invoice, what IRD requires, and how to create a professional PDF within seconds for $1.
Updated August 2026 · Based on current IRD requirements
Under $60k turnover you don't charge GST: just your name or business name, the date, an invoice number, a description, the total, and your payment details. No GST number, no "Tax Invoice" label needed.
Yes — any time you sell a product or service worth $50 or more, IRD expects you to have a record of that transaction. For your customer, an invoice is proof of payment. For you, it's your business record for tax purposes.
The good news: there's no special registration required to send an invoice from home. You can invoice under your own name or a trading name from day one. No company setup, no accountant needed.
You don't need to register a business name to invoice from home. Just use your full name and contact details. If you have a trading name (e.g. "Sarah's Sweet Things"), you can use that too.
This guide is written specifically for home-based businesses — people selling products or services from a residential address, like bakers, crafters, tutors and mobile service providers. Running a general freelance or consulting business instead? Our freelancer invoice guide covers that in more depth.
A home business invoice covers the same basics as any invoice, but a few details work differently when your business is run from a residential address rather than a shop, office or trade van.
A home business invoice is a normal invoice with your trading name, a clear description of what you sold or did, and your payment details — your home address is optional, and GST only applies once you're registered.
Only if your total sales exceed $60,000 in any rolling 12-month period. Most home businesses starting out are under this threshold — which means simpler invoicing with fewer requirements.
| Your annual turnover | GST required? | Invoice type |
|---|---|---|
| Under $60k | No | Standard invoice — no GST |
| Over $60k | Yes — must register | Tax Invoice — includes GST |
| Voluntary | Optional below $60k | Tax Invoice — includes GST |
If you're under $60,000 — don't add GST, don't call it a "Tax Invoice", and don't put a GST number on it (you don't have one). Keep it clean and simple.
Register before you hit the threshold, not after — IRD can backdate GST obligations. TradieNotes handles both GST and non-GST invoices automatically; just select your situation.
Under $60,000? See our full non-GST invoice guide for exactly what to include — and what to leave off.
What you need depends on whether you're GST registered. Here's the complete breakdown:
TradieNotes handles all of this automatically. Just select GST or non-GST, enter your details once, and the AI builds the correct invoice format every time.
Here's an example for a home baker — non-GST registered, straightforward, professional:
| Description | Amount |
|---|---|
| Custom birthday cake — 3 tier, fondant | $180.00 |
| Cupcakes × 24 — vanilla buttercream | $96.00 |
| Delivery — Christchurch central | $15.00 |
Note: no GST number and no "Tax Invoice" label — correct for a home business under the $60,000 threshold.
Within seconds, no spreadsheet
No spreadsheet, no Word template, no subscription. Just speak or type your order details and get a professional PDF instantly.
Preview your invoice free. Pay $1 only when you're ready to download. No subscription, no monthly fee, no signup required.
Need more? View all bundles →
Paying for accounting software just to invoice from home? See our accounting software alternative comparison and what it's really costing you.
TradieNotes works for any home-based business in New Zealand. Whether you sell products, provide services, or do both — the AI understands plain-English descriptions and builds the correct invoice format every time.
Home baker invoice NZ — list your cakes, cupcakes, catering platters, and delivery fees as separate line items. Include the customer's name and event date in the description. Most home bakers operate under the $60,000 GST threshold, so no "Tax Invoice" label is needed — just a clean invoice with your total.
House cleaners, window cleaners, ironing services, and garden maintenance operators working from home invoice the same way as any home-based business. List your hours or fixed price per clean, the address, and your payment details. If you're cleaning multiple properties regularly, TradieNotes saves your details so each invoice takes seconds.
Market stall invoice NZ — candle makers, jewellery sellers, potters, and crafters often invoice wholesale buyers or custom order clients. List each product and quantity clearly. If you sell both at markets and online, keep your invoices consistent — same business name, same format, same bank account.
Home-based tutors and consultants typically invoice per session or per month. Include the dates covered, the subject or service, and the rate per session. Most tutors are under the GST threshold, making a simple non-GST invoice the correct format.
Describe each garment and the work done — "Wedding dress alterations — zip replacement and hem $85". If you charge for materials separately, list them as a second line item. A professional invoice reassures clients that you're a legitimate business even when working from home.
Home-based childcare invoice NZ — nannies, in-home educators, and family day-care providers typically invoice weekly or monthly. List the child's name, the dates or sessions covered, and the hourly or daily rate. Keeping a consistent invoice each period makes it easy for parents to track payments and for you to keep clean IRD records.
Beauty therapist invoice NZ — whether you run treatments from a home studio or travel to clients, list each service separately (facial, lash lift, manicure) with the date and duration. Add a travel or call-out fee as its own line item if you go to the client rather than the other way around.
Dog groomer invoice NZ — list the pet's name, the service (wash, trim, nail clip) and the size or breed if your pricing varies by size. Regular clients appreciate a consistent invoice they can expect every visit — TradieNotes remembers your standard services so repeat invoices take seconds.
Under $60,000 total income from all home business activity — standard invoice, no GST. Over $60,000 — register with IRD and issue tax invoices. TradieNotes handles both formats automatically.
No. IRD does not require your home address on a non-GST invoice. You can use your trading name and email address only. For GST-registered businesses with invoices over $1,000, a supplier address is technically required — but a PO Box or trading name is acceptable.
Yes. In New Zealand you can trade and invoice under a business name without registering it formally. Only if you form a company does registration become mandatory. Using "Sarah's Sweet Things" on an invoice is perfectly legal for a home business without any registration.
Having a professional invoice with a clear due date and bank account number is your first line of defence. If a customer doesn't pay, the Disputes Tribunal handles claims up to $30,000 for a small fee. Your TradieNotes invoice PDF serves as the evidence of the debt.
Create an invoice for the deposit amount and describe it clearly — "Deposit for custom 3-tier wedding cake — 50% of $360 total". When the balance is due, create a second invoice for the remaining amount. TradieNotes lets you create as many invoices as you need at $1 each.
Common questions
No subscription · No signup · Preview free, pay only when happy
This guide is general information for NZ home businesses and is updated to reflect current IRD rules. It is not legal or tax advice. For advice specific to your situation, speak to your accountant or visit ird.govt.nz.
