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Annual Leave Cash-Up Calculator

Work out the value of cashing up annual leave. NZ employees can cash up to one week of annual leave per year if their employer agrees. Includes PAYE on the payment.

Updated 2026-27 FYData stays on your deviceIRD sourced data

Disclaimer

This calculator provides estimates for general information purposes only. Results should not be relied upon as professional financial, tax, or legal advice. Tax rates and thresholds are based on publicly available IRD data and may change. Always consult a qualified tax agent or financial adviser for advice specific to your circumstances.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much annual leave can I cash up in NZ?
Under the NZ Holidays Act, you can request to cash up to one week of your annual leave each year, provided your employer agrees in writing. You must have at least 4 weeks of accrued annual leave (i.e. you cannot cash up your minimum entitlement to leave). Cashing up cannot be a condition of employment, and your employer cannot pressure you to do it. The cash-up is paid at your ordinary weekly rate. Source: Employment NZ — Cashing Up Annual Holidays.
Is cashed-up annual leave taxed?
Yes, cashed-up annual leave is treated as ordinary salary or wages and is subject to PAYE, ACC earner’s levy, KiwiSaver contributions, and any student loan repayments. It is included in your gross pay for the period in which it is paid. Some employers tax cash-ups as "extra pay" which gives a similar result. Either way, you cannot get cashed-up leave tax-free. Source: IRD.
Can my employer refuse my request to cash up?
Yes. The employer must consider your request within a reasonable time, but they are not required to agree. Some employers have a blanket policy of not allowing cash-ups. Others allow it case-by-case. The decision and any policy must be applied fairly and not discriminate. If your employer refuses, the leave remains in your annual leave balance to be taken later. Source: Employment NZ.

Under the NZ Holidays Act, employees can request to cash up to one week of their annual leave each year, provided their employer agrees. The cash-up is paid as ordinary weekly pay and is subject to PAYE and ACC.

How this calculator works

Enter your gross annual salary and the number of days you want to cash up. The calculator works out the daily rate (annual / 52 / 5), multiplies by the days requested, then deducts PAYE, ACC, KiwiSaver, and student loan.

Annual Leave Cash-Up Rules

Maximum cashable per year1 week (5 working days)
Employer must agreeYes — in writing
Tax treatmentOrdinary pay (PAYE + ACC + KS/SL)
Minimum holiday remaining3 weeks accrued
RestrictionsNo coercion; employee request only

Worked Examples

Employee on $70,000 salary cashes up 5 days

Approx net cash-up: $945 (gross $1,346)

  1. Daily rate: $70,000 / 52 / 5 = $269.23
  2. Gross cash-up: $269.23 × 5 = $1,346
  3. PAYE at 30% bracket: ~$404
  4. ACC: $24
  5. KiwiSaver 3.5%: $47
  6. Net: ~$871

Built and maintained by Konstantin Iakovlev. Data sourced from the IRD and official New Zealand government sources.

Last updated:

Official Sources

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