R&D Tax Credits for New Zealand Startups
You’re already spending on R&D. Oxygen Advisors gets some of it back by running your R&D Tax Incentive (RDTI) and loss credit claims start to finish. For most NZ founders, that’s a six-figure refund.
$200M+ in R&D tax refunds delivered for NZ founders
What is the R&D Tax Incentive (RDTI)?
The R&D Tax Incentive is a New Zealand government scheme that gives eligible businesses 15% of their eligible R&D spend back as a tax credit.
Loss-making companies can also cash out tax losses at 28%, capped at the lowest of their tax loss, their R&D spend, or $2 million.
Stacked together, that's up to 43% of your R&D spend back as cash.
How it works
01
Quick assessment
Run through the calculator above. If it looks like a fit, we’ll get on a call to understand what you’re building.
02
We handle the claim
We work out what qualifies, pull the numbers together and write up the technical side. You’ll need to give us some time with the people doing the work, and we’ll handle the rest.
03
You get the benefit
The refund goes straight back into the business: more runway, another hire, another sprint.
How much can you claim back?
Say you’re a pre-profit company spending $200,000 a year on eligible R&D, with a tax loss at least that big:
RDTI: $200,000 × 15% = $30,000
Loss credit: $200,000 × 28% = $56,000
Total: $86,000 back
That’s a new hire or several more months of runway, from work you were doing anyway.
Why Oxygen
We’ve been running R&D claims for NZ tech companies for years, and we know what the IRD looks for.
$200M+ in refunds delivered for NZ founders
Deep understanding of startup R&D
Audit-ready claims, done properly
Minimal lift required from your team
R&D Tax Incentive FAQs
What is the RDTI in New Zealand?
The Research and Development Tax Incentive is an IRD scheme that gives eligible businesses a 15% tax credit on their eligible R&D spend.
Who is eligible for the R&D Tax Incentive?
NZ businesses spending at least $50,000 a year on R&D. The work has to be systematic, aimed at creating something new or improved, and involve real technical uncertainty. Most of it needs to happen in New Zealand.
Can a loss-making startup claim R&D tax credits?
Yes. On top of the 15% RDTI, pre-profit companies can cash out tax losses at 28%, as long as enough of their payroll goes on R&D. The cap is the lowest of your tax loss, your R&D spend, or $2 million. Combined, that’s up to 43% back.
How much is the R&D tax credit worth?
15% of your eligible R&D spend, plus up to 28% more if you’re loss-making. On $200,000 of R&D, that can be around $86,000.
How long does an R&D claim take?
Earlier than most founders think. You need IRD’s approval before you can claim, and it’s due three months after your year ends. For a 31 March balance date, that’s 30 June. IRD doesn’t accept late applications, so if you miss it, you miss out on that year’s credit. Talk to us well before then.
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