Friday, May 19, 2017
If you’re running a small business in New Zealand you need to account for income tax on an accrual/invoice basis – but there are some exceptions.
Although Australia has a useful option for small businesses allowing them to account for income tax on a cash basis, this option is rarely open to Australian businesses to do the same in New Zealand.
Thursday, May 11, 2017
Inland Revenue has announced some quite significant changes that may have an impact on Australians doing business in New Zealand from the start of the 2018 tax year.
Thursday, May 4, 2017
We are sometimes contacted by clients who advise that in finalising their Australian financial statements and income tax returns they have come across a transaction that should have been included in the financial statements and income tax return of the New Zealand entity.
The question often arises, “do we need to file an amended income tax return”?
Monday, April 24, 2017
Shareholder employees can now be on a PAYE salary and then top up at the end of the year with a lump sum on which they can pay provisional tax.
Previously, in New Zealand shareholder employees were only allowed to be either a PAYE salary earner or a shareholder’s salary earner. They couldn’t be both.
Wednesday, March 29, 2017
There is a mandatory “shortfall” penalties regime in place in New Zealand which Inland Revenue apply automatically and for a large number of cases.
Inland Revenue can charge penalties in the range from 20% up to a whopping 150%. These penalties cannot be remitted and are good reason in themselves to encourage you to engage a knowledgeable tax advisor.
Friday, March 24, 2017
Most New Zealand businesses will have a year-end of 31st March. It is possible in some situations to have that balance date changed to 30th June and that may suit some Australian businesses who have New Zealand interests. If you believe that a 30th June balance date would suit your needs better, simply contact us and we can prepare an application on your behalf.
Wednesday, March 15, 2017
The Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC), is the organisation responsible for both overseeing New Zealand workplace safety and compensating anyone injured in the workplace.
It is funded by levies paid by New Zealand and Australian businesses who are registered as NZ employers. And from 1 April 2017 the good news for business is that these levies will fall.
Tuesday, March 7, 2017
Unlike the Australian system where you can report on, and pay for, several taxes on one tax return, New Zealand treats every tax as it’s own little beast with little interaction between them. A different tax return due at a different time with a different payment date for each type of tax. And that causes a lot of confusion for Australians doing business over there.
Tuesday, February 28, 2017
It is a legal requirement that you enter into an employment agreement with your staff. And now there is a free online tool designed to help you comply with the law.
New Zealand hasn’t had a unionised workforce for a number of decades so it has been difficult to produce agreements by sneakily using union agreements as a template.