NZ Tax Code S SL
Secondary job + student loan (combined $15,601–$53,500) (2026-27).
Take-home on S SL — 2026-27 IRD rates
Annual deductions for someone paid on code S SL. Numbers below include income tax, ACC earner's levy, and student loan (where applicable). KiwiSaver is not included — add your chosen rate on top.
| Annual gross | Income tax (PAYE) | ACC levy | Student loan | Take-home | Effective rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $10,000 | $1,750 | $175 | $1,200 | $6,875 | 31.3% |
| $20,000 | $3,500 | $350 | $2,400 | $13,750 | 31.3% |
| $30,000 | $5,250 | $525 | $3,600 | $20,625 | 31.3% |
Source: IRD published 2026-27 tax brackets, ACC earner's levy 1.75%, student-loan rate 12% over $24,128. See full PAYE calculator for any income and pay period.
Who should use S SL?
Use S SL on your non-main job when your TOTAL annual income from all jobs is $15,601 to $53,500 AND you have an NZ student loan. Deductions on this job: 17.5% income tax + 12% SL = 29.5% from the first dollar.
When to switch from S SL
- SB SL Combined income drops to $15,600 or less.
- SH SL Combined income rises to $53,501–$78,100.
- S Student loan is paid off.
Common mistakes with S SL
- ⚠12% SL applies from dollar one on this job — no threshold. If your total annual income is below $24,128 in aggregate, you may over-repay SL and receive a refund after IR3 or auto-assessment.
- ⚠S SL is NOT the legacy "SL" code. The legacy single-letter "SL" (no space) mapped to SB SL — check that your employer is using the canonical spaced form.
Unsure this is the right code? Use our tax-code checker wizard (5 questions), or jump to the full PAYE calculator for any income and pay period.
All NZ tax codes
Related calculators
Frequently asked questions
Is S SL the same as the old "SL" code?
No. The legacy "SL" (no space) mapped to SB SL (combined income under $15,600). Modern NZ PAYE uses five SL variants: SB SL / S SL / SH SL / ST SL / SA SL, based on combined income.
Do I keep 12% SL deduction after my loan balance goes to zero?
Until IRD informs your employer in writing. Submit IR330 with the student-loan checkbox unticked once IRD confirms the loan is cleared.