Recently, a client paid me an extraordinary $8,500 to fix a simple GST mistake that could have been easily avoided. Here’s how you can avoid making the same mistake when registering for GST with the IRD. The 3 Registration Questions IRD Asks You (and How to Get These Right) When you register for G...

Most business owners incorrectly think employer accreditation is an immigration process. Instead, its a financial and commercial assessment of your business. Immigration New Zealand is not just asking: “Do you want to hire people?” They’re asking: “Is your business financially viable and...

If you move to Australia but don’t properly exit the New Zealand tax system, you can end up paying tax twice on the same income in both countries. To avoid this, you need to correctly cease your New Zealand tax residency. In this article, I’ll cover: How to Cease Being a New Zealand Tax Resident...

If you’re moving to New Zealand, you can legally pay $0 tax on your foreign income for 4 years. First, what normally happens when you move to New Zealand? Once you become a New Zealand tax resident: 👉 You are taxed on your worldwide income That includes: But there’s a major exception New Zeal...

Sometimes you’d rather have a friend in your property than a stranger. And you’re happy to charge them less than market rent. Done right, this can also mean paying $0 tax on your rental income. Inland Revenue consistently refers to this scenario as renting at “mates’ rates”. Th...

Renting a holiday home to a family member can mean the income is Exempt, resulting in $0 tax to Inland Revenue. What is Exempt income? Exempt income is income you do not have to pay tax on. If you qualify, you can: What is the IRD Rule? The rule is called the Associated Person Exempti...

New Zealand tax law offers a little-known way to simplify your obligations, by simply opting-out of the standard tax rules. This is applicable for owners of properties that are used for both private and rental purposes (known as “mixed-use assets”), such as holiday homes. This means you ...

New Zealand business owners can claim back 2 years of petrol tax. Here’s how: You’re eligible for a cash refund if the petrol is used off-road commercially. How does it work? The logic is simple. Fuel tax is meant to pay for public roads. So if you’re not using public roads, you shouldn’...

The Government has announced a fuel support package by increasing the In-Work Tax Credit (IWTC) by up to $50 per week. Sounds like a good thing. And for many families, it will be. But there’s something important that isn’t being explained clearly. For a lot of people, this “support” won’t ...

Cashflow is the number one reason small businesses in New Zealand struggle. In most cases it comes down to timing, pricing, mindset or planning. The good news is that improving cashflow does not require dramatic changes. Small, consistent actions can make a noticeable difference within weeks. Here a...