New Zealand - Initial Digital Platform Information reporting due in early 2025

A reporting deadline is approaching for New Zealand platform operators, who will need to submit certain information to Inland Revenue by 7 February 2025. Specifically, legislation enacted in New Zealand in March 2023 to implement the information reporting and exchange framework developed by the Organisation for Co-operation and Development (OECD) requires platform operators based in New Zealand to collect information from 1 January 2024 on sellers that receive consideration from relevant services through digital platforms and report annually to Inland Revenue.

Who is affected?

Platform operators (i.e., entities that contract with sellers to enable the sellers to use the digital platform to connect with buyers to provide relevant services) resident in New Zealand are subject to the reporting requirements.

Relevant services

The rules apply to consideration that sellers receive from the following activities provided through digital platforms:

• The rental of immovable property (including commercial, short-stay and visitor accommodation)
• Personal services (including any time-based or task-based work, such as ride-sharing, food and beverage delivery, and graphic and web design services)

Information to collect and report

The information that platform operators are required to collect and report is consistent with the requirements set out in the OECD model reporting standard — i.e., details regarding each reportable seller and the activities and consideration received by each reportable seller in the reporting period.

How to report the information

Platform operators are required to register for a Digital Platform Information (DPI) account with Inland Revenue and report using either an XML file upload or Excel template (the latter being limited to 1,000 sellers).

Other relevant information

Platform operators are responsible for carrying out due diligence procedures to ensure that the information reported for sellers is accurate and to maintain records showing the steps undertaken to collect the information and the information upon which they relied.

Penalties can apply if online marketplaces do not comply with their due diligence and reporting obligations. A penalty of NZ$300 for each occasion when the requirements are not met can be applied (capped at NZ$10,000 for the reporting year). Penalties for not taking reasonable care can also apply in certain situations (NZ$20,000 for the first time, up to NZ$40,000 on subsequent occasions, subject to a cap of NZ$100,000 for the reporting year).