Cook Islands RMD number guide
RMD number
RMD number is issued by Revenue Management Division. The entities incorporated at the Ministry of Justice under the Companies Act 1971 has to apply to Revenue Management Division for the RMD number. The Cook Islands' tax identifiers are catalogued in the worldwide directory of VAT and tax ID names.
Format - Numeric and must be 5 digits, e.g. NNNNN
Frequently Asked Questions
Do international companies incorporated before December 2019 still benefit from tax exemption in the Cook Islands?
No. The International Companies (Removal of Tax Exemption) Amendment Act 2019, effective 17 December 2019, ended all income-tax exemptions for Cook Islands international companies (ICs). Companies incorporated before that date had a transition period to December 31, 2021 — after which they were required to register with the Revenue Management Division (RMD), obtain an RMD number using form RM2, file annual company tax returns (including NIL returns with financial statements), and pay tax on Cook Islands-sourced income. Companies that assumed the old regime still applied and never registered are exposed to penalties for non-registration and unfiled returns. [1] [2]
When does having Cook Islands-resident directors make an international company liable for tax on its worldwide income?
An international company (IC) incorporated in the Cook Islands is treated as tax resident — and therefore subject to the 20% corporate income tax rate on its worldwide income — if, at any point during the income year, three or more of its directors reside in the Cook Islands, or if effective management and control of the company is exercised from within the Cook Islands. Companies that appoint local nominee directors to satisfy other compliance requirements without checking the residency count risk triggering this worldwide-income liability unintentionally. [1] [2]
Does the NZD 40,000 VAT registration threshold apply to non-resident businesses supplying digital services into the Cook Islands?
Yes. Any business — resident or non-resident — whose annual turnover from taxable supplies in the Cook Islands reaches NZD 40,000 must register for VAT with the RMD and charge 15% VAT. Voluntary registration is available once turnover exceeds NZD 20,000. Unlike some jurisdictions, the Cook Islands has no simplified non-resident digital-services regime: a non-resident provider that crosses the threshold must register under the standard process, obtain an RMD number, and file monthly VAT returns by the 20th of the following month. Compare VAT registration thresholds across jurisdictions in the worldwide VAT thresholds guide. [1] [2]
Are Cook Islands trusts and international companies automatically reported to foreign tax authorities under CRS?
Yes. The Cook Islands enacted the Income Tax (Automatic Exchange of Financial Account Information and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2016, incorporating the OECD Common Reporting Standard (CRS) into domestic law. Cook Islands financial institutions — including Licensed Trustee Companies that act as trustees — must perform CRS due diligence on account holders and controlling persons, then report details of accounts held by non-Cook Islands tax residents to the RMD annually via the CRS portal at crs.cookislands.gov.ck. The RMD then exchanges that data with the tax authority of each account holder's country of tax residence. Structures established for privacy are therefore visible to the account holder's home tax authority. [1] [2]
What penalties apply if an international company misses the 28-day RMD registration deadline or fails to file tax returns?
International companies incorporated after 17 December 2019 must apply for an RMD number within 28 days of incorporation using form RM2. Failure to register, or failure to file income tax returns on time, can attract a penalty of up to NZD 10,000 per breach. In addition, unpaid tax accrues additional tax on a daily basis until settled. The RMD advises that companies anticipating a late registration or filing contact the division at the earliest opportunity to arrange a compliance action plan — proactive communication can reduce exposure, but does not eliminate it. [1] [2]
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