myIR Login Problems? How to Access Your IRD Account in 2026

myIR is IRD's online portal for managing your tax — filing GST returns, checking your tax position, updating your details, and more. When it works, it is genuinely useful. When it does not, it can be maddening — especially if you are trying to meet a filing deadline.

Here is a practical guide to the most common myIR login problems and how to fix them.

Before troubleshooting your own login, check whether myIR is actually down. IRD occasionally takes the system offline for maintenance, and there are sometimes unplanned outages.

Check ird.govt.nz for any system status notices. IRD also posts outage notices on their social media channels. If the system is down, there is nothing you can do except wait — and note that IRD generally grants relief from late filing penalties if the outage prevented you from filing on time.

This is the most common issue. Go to the myIR login page and click "Forgot your password?". IRD will send a reset link to the email address registered on your account.

If you no longer have access to that email address, you will need to contact IRD directly to update it — see below.

Your myIR username is the email address you registered with. If you cannot remember which email you used, try your most common email addresses. If you are still stuck, IRD can look up your account using your IRD number and date of birth.

myIR locks accounts after a number of failed login attempts as a security measure. If your account is locked, you will need to contact IRD to unlock it — you cannot do this yourself online.

Call IRD on 0800 227 774 (individuals) or 0800 377 774 (businesses). Have your IRD number and date of birth ready.

myIR uses two-factor authentication — after entering your password, you receive a code by text or email to confirm your identity. Common problems:

• Not receiving the code — check your spam folder if it is sent by email. For text codes, make sure IRD has your current mobile number.
• Code expired — the codes are time-limited. If you wait too long to enter it, request a new one.
• Changed phone number — if you have a new mobile number, you will need to update it with IRD before 2FA will work. Contact IRD to update your contact details.

myIR can sometimes behave unexpectedly due to browser issues. Try:

• Clearing your browser cache and cookies — this fixes a surprising number of login problems
• Using a different browser — Chrome and Firefox generally work best with myIR
• Disabling browser extensions — ad blockers and privacy extensions can sometimes interfere
• Using a different device — if your computer has issues, try your phone or tablet

If you have never logged in to myIR before, you need to create an account. Go to myir.ird.govt.nz and click "Register". You will need your IRD number and some personal details to verify your identity.

Note that new myIR accounts sometimes take a day or two to fully activate — particularly for new businesses or recently registered IRD numbers.

If you are trying to access a business account (company, partnership, or trust) through myIR, you need to be linked to that account. If you have recently taken over a business or been added as a new director, the previous account holder or IRD may need to grant you access.

For companies, the access is linked to your role as a director or authorised person. If you cannot see a business account you expect to have access to, contact IRD to check your authorisation.

If none of the above fixes work, you will need to contact IRD:

• Phone (individuals): 0800 227 774 — Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm
• Phone (businesses): 0800 377 774 — Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm
• Online: You can submit a query through ird.govt.nz even without logging in to myIR

IRD's phone lines can be busy, particularly around filing deadlines (end of March, end of October). If you can, call early in the morning or later in the afternoon to avoid peak wait times.

A few simple steps will save you headaches:

• Keep your contact details current with IRD — particularly your email address and mobile number for 2FA
• Save your myIR username in a password manager or secure note
• Do not leave filing to the last minute — if you hit a login problem the day before a deadline, you have no buffer

If a myIR outage or login problem prevents you from filing on time, IRD generally takes a reasonable approach — but you need to act promptly. Contact IRD as soon as possible, explain the situation, and ask for relief from any late filing penalty. Keep a record of when you tried to log in and what error you received.

If you are struggling with myIR or want someone to handle your IRD filings on your behalf, contact Eastmure & Associates. We manage myIR access and filing for our clients as part of our standard accounting service.