Most of the gap is opened by United States's Foreign Earned Income Exclusion regime, which displaces the standard schedule. Both countries are indicated in USD at the displayed FX.
| Personal income tax progressive · top 39% | $26,865 |
| Social security 1.4% employee · capped | $1,199 |
| Total deductions | $28,064 |
| Gross income | $100,000 |
| Net take-home | $71,936 |
| Personal income tax feie · 0% flat | — |
| Social security 22.9% employee · capped | $7,650 |
| Total deductions | $7,650 |
| Gross income | $100,000 |
| Net take-home | $92,350 |
| Instrument | New Zealand · USD | United States · USD | Δ (US − NZ) |
|---|---|---|---|
I. Personal income tax | |||
Personal income tax NZprogressive · top 39%USfeie · 0% flat | $26,865 | — | −$26,865 |
| subtotal · personal income tax | $26,865 | $0 | −$26,865 |
II. Mandatory social security & health | |||
ACC earner levy 1.39% on first NZD 142,283. NZ1.4% · capped NZ$142,283US7.6% · capped $184,500 | $1,199 | $7,650 | +$6,451 |
SECA: both employer + employee portions paid by SE. NZ—US15.3% · capped $184,500 | — | — | — |
| subtotal · mandatory social security & health | $1,199 | $7,650 | +$6,451 |
| Total deductions | $28,064 | $7,650 | −$20,414 |
| Effective rate | 28.1% | 7.6% | -20.4 pp |
| Gross income | $100,000 | $100,000 | — |
| Net take-home | $71,936 | $92,350 | +$20,414 |
Table 1 · Statutory deductions, single-filer remote worker, FY2026 indicative. All amounts in USD. n/a where instrument does not apply. | |||
| PPP basis · NYC = 100 | New Zealand | United States | Δ |
|---|---|---|---|
Cost-of-living index Indicative · placeholder until COL table ships | 72.0 | 100.0 | +28.0 pts |
Nominal net (annual) From the engine — exact | $71,936 | $92,350 | +$20,414 |
| Real net · New Zealand basket | $71,936 | $66,492 | −$5,444 |
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