The below primary tax codes are selected for your main or highest source of income. M You use an M tax code if you meet a combination of the following criteria: You receive an income tested benefit This job is your main or highest source of income You are a New Zealand tax resident Your annual income is unlikely to be between $24,000 and $48,000 You or your partner receive Working for Families Tax Credits or an overseas equivalent or you receive NZ Super, veteran’s pension or an overseas equivalent You don’t have a student loan Example: Nicki has an after-school job at a supermarket. She works three hours a day, five days a week for a total annual income of $13,000. This is Nicki’s only job, so she uses the M tax code. M SL You use an M SL tax code if you meet the above criteria and HAVE a student loan. Example: Nicki has an after-school job at a supermarket. She works three hours a day, five days a week for a total annual income of $13,000. This is Nicki’s only job, but she has a student loan, so she uses the M SL tax code. ME The ME and M tax codes have some distinct differences and it’s important that if you’re unsure about the two different codes that you seek professional advice to avoid a future tax bill. You can use an ME tax code if: You do not receive an income tested benefit This job is your main or highest source of income You are a New Zealand tax resident Your annual income is likely to be between $24,000 and $48,000 You and your partner DO NOT receive Working for Families Tax Credits or an overseas equivalent You DO NOT receive New Zealand Superannuation, veteran’s pension or an overseas equivalent You DO NOT have a student loan Example: Nicki has a job at a supermarket. She works 40 hours a week with a total annual income of approximately $39,000. Nicki doesn’t have a partner and doesn’t receive any government support, so she uses the ME tax code. ME SL You use an ME SL tax code if you meet the above criteria for tax code ME but you HAVE a student loan. Example: Nicki has a job at a supermarket. She works 40 hours a week with a total annual income of approximately $39,000. Nicki doesn’t have a partner and doesn’t receive any government support, but she has a student loan, so she uses the ME SL tax code.