Working out your GST refund or payment

Small business guides > Quick guide to GST > Working out your GST refund or payment

Working out your GST refund or payment

Working out GST is straightforward maths. Keeping track of all your transactions is the trickiest part. Let’s take a look at the process.

GST is a simple formula

You work out GST by comparing the amount you paid on purchases to the amount you collected on sales.

You may need to make adjustments for assets, such as a car or computer, that are shared between your business and family. Visit the IRD page on claiming mixed-use assets for more.

How to work out GST in four steps

1. Make a note of the GST paid on your business purchases

2. Make a note of the GST collected on sales

3. Add both types of GST

4. Run the GST formula

If it’s a negative number, you’ll get a refund for that amount.

Avoid nasty surprises with smart bookkeeping

Like any business, you’ll aim to sell more than you buy. If you succeed in doing that, you’ll most likely end up with GST to pay. Run the four-step GST equation regularly so you can:

work out how big your GST payment is shaping up to be
transfer cash to a separate bank account to cover the GST you’ll need to pay

Automate your GST calculations

You can use online accounting software like Xero to stay on top of GST. It automatically records GST collected and paid, and does the maths for you.

The software keeps a running count of your GST situation so you always know where you stand. When your GST return is due, you just connect to the IRD and submit it online. All the information is ready to go.