Where does your salary go?

Your gross salary is the amount before deductions. Your take-home pay is the amount left after income tax and other applicable deductions. A comparison between job offers is more useful when you look at both amounts.

Income tax is progressive

For the 2026/27 tax year, income is split into bands. The first $15,600 is taxed at 10.5%; the next slice up to $53,500 at 17.5%; the next slice up to $78,100 at 30%; the slice up to $180,000 at 33%; and income above that at 39%. Moving into a higher band does not apply that rate to all your earnings.

ACC is a separate deduction

The earners’ levy used here is 1.75% on salary and wages up to $156,641 for 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027. This is an employee estimate, not a self-employed ACC invoice calculation.

Why your payslip may differ

Our main tool spreads steady annual earnings over the year. Payroll rounding, changes in pay, secondary jobs, tailored tax codes, unpaid leave and lump sums can change actual deductions. KiwiSaver contributions and student loan repayments also change what reaches your bank account.

Start with your gross salary, choose your contribution rate and confirm whether you have a student loan. Use the detailed breakdown to see the effect of each deduction separately.

Official sources & methodology →