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  • Monday December 09

    Let’s Talk … Market Timing

    Let’s Talk … Market Timing   Time in the Market vs. Timing the Market   With share investments it can be tempting to try to time the market, however, naturally there are consequences for timing this ‘wrong’. Not only do you need to determine the ‘right’ day to buy, but also the right time to sell. This is something that…

  • Monday December 09

    Trusts - The Big Picture

    Trusts - The Big Picture   For some, the increase in the trust tax rate from 33% to 39% has prompted them to ask the question – should we wind up our trust?   Rather than looking at the purpose of having a trust with a narrow tax lens, it may be of benefit to consider your circumstances more broadly…

  • Monday December 09

    FBT and Home to Work Travel

    FBT and Home to Work Travel   A common complaint made by employers is that the amount of time it takes to meet their FBT obligations is disproportionate to the amount of tax it actually generates. This frustration is arguably borne out in the number of mistakes that are often made when calculating the amount of FBT payable. A good…

  • Monday December 09

    Inland Revenue's Long Term Insights Briefing

    Inland Revenue's Long Term Insights Briefing   Inland Revenue has commenced consultation on what topic should be covered in its next Long-Term Insights Briefing (LTIB). Inland Revenue, like other government departments, is required to produce a LTIB once every three years. The purpose of an LTIB is to identify and explore long-term issues to help plan for the future.  …

  • Monday December 09

    The Depreciable Asset

    The Depreciable Asset   The depreciation rate for non-residential buildings has been reduced to 0%, effective from the 2024 / 25 income year. However, commercial fit-out remains depreciable. This makes the distinction between the two important because it is the difference between not being able to deduct any depreciation as a tax deductible expense and depreciation on a good proportion of…

  • Monday December 09

    Protect Your Reputation

    Protect Your Reputation   Over the last 18 months there have been a number of businesses fall over – which in and of itself has not been surprising given the recent economic climate. However, one element that serves as a warning for us all is the flow on effect of those failures. Not just in a tangible sense, where suppliers…

  • Thursday November 14

    Let’s Talk … Cash Flow in Business

    Let’s Talk … Cash Flow in Business   In the world of business, cash flow is king. It’s the lifeblood that keeps operations running, employees paid, and growth opportunities within reach. Many businesses struggle with managing their cash flow effectively. Poor cash flow management can lead to missed opportunities or worst case, contribute to business failure. With effective strategies in…

  • Tuesday October 15

    Let’s Talk … Navigating Property Taxation

    Let’s Talk … Navigating Property Taxation   Property taxation in New Zealand is an important aspect of financial planning and investment strategies for homeowners, investors, and businesses alike. Understanding the various taxes and payments applicable to property transactions and ownership, is essential to ensure compliance with tax laws and for optimising financial outcomes.   Financial Considerations for Property Owners  …

  • Friday September 13

    Cyclone Gabrielle on Tararua's Rural Sector

    Cyclone Gabrielle on Tararua's Rural Sector   Tararua District Council is teaming up with our accounting firm to dive deep into the long-term economic effects of Cyclone Gabrielle and other pressures on the Tararua District farming community. With nearly 70% of our land classified as rural, agriculture is a key lifeline of our district, so it’s vital to understand how…

  • Thursday September 12

    Surviving the Economic Downturn

    Surviving the Economic Downturn   It comes as no surprise that since New Zealand entered an official recession in December 2023, individuals and businesses have been forced to take steps to cut costs to survive the impact. Having not experienced a recession since March 2008, many New Zealanders might not remember the 18-month downturn that finally came to an end…

  • Thursday September 12

    New Product Lines

    New Product Lines   It is important to regularly ask whether you are providing the products that your customers want and whether there are any new products that you could provide to ensure you are evolving with changing times as you look for the next income stream. There are plenty of examples of new products meeting an unexpected demand or…

  • Thursday September 12

    Changes in Marginal Tax Thresholds

    Changes in Marginal Tax Thresholds   For the first time since 2010, personal tax rate thresholds will change from 31 July 2024. The change was announced as part of the 2024 budget. When personal tax thresholds are not regularly adjusted to take into account inflation or wage growth, individuals end up paying a higher percentage of their income in taxes…

  • Thursday September 12

    Donating Trade Stock

    Donating Trade Stock   What was a temporary tax concession, relating to donated trading stock, has now become a permanent one.   Prior to March 2020, in most cases, if a business donated trading stock it resulted in deemed income equivalent to its market value. This resulted in a business being taxed on a deemed profit margin, even though no…

  • Thursday September 12

    Non-BAU Transactions

    Non-BAU Transactions   BAU is a phrase that is used to describe “business as usual”. It is a good barometer of whether anything strange or unusual has occurred or whether things have been BAU. Invariably, non BAU transactions will occur: an insurance payout, a large asset purchase, a fine or a penalty. This then leads to the question of what…

  • Thursday September 12

    Inland Revenue Activity

    Inland Revenue Activity   After a relatively quiet few years through the Covid pandemic, Inland Revenue’s (IR) audit activity has slowly started to increase over the past few years.   In 2021, IR’s campaign had a focus on the real estate sector, where the concern was around real estate agents claiming a disproportionately large amount of expenses relative to their…

  • Thursday September 12

    Let’s Talk … GST Changes Affecting Airbnb and Bookabach

    Let’s Talk … GST Changes Affecting Airbnb and Bookabach   From 1 April 2024, a new scheme has been implemented for charging and collecting GST on short-stay accommodation. This is via platforms such as Airbnb and Bookabach, with the obligation shifting from the property owner to the platform provider. This is regardless of whether the property owner is registered for…

  • Tuesday August 20

    Let’s Talk … More Money in the Pocket

    Let’s Talk … More Money in the Pocket   July 2024 Personal Income Tax Changes   July was a month of many significant changes to our New Zealand tax landscape, stemming from the 2024 government budget and related, announcements. These include changes to personal income tax and support for families with young children. Along with new initiatives, these aim to…

  • Tuesday July 09

    Let’s Talk … Building Resilience in Your Business

    Let’s Talk … Building Resilience in Your Business   What is resilience and why does it matter?   Resilience is the ability to adapt and recover from difficulties, setbacks, or changes in your business environment. If your business is resilient, it’s more likely to survive challenges, such as market shifts, customer demands, competition, new regulations, or crises.   How to…

  • Monday June 17

    Let’s Talk … Survive to 25

    Let’s Talk … Survive to 25   The mantra “Survive to 25” has been circulating in business circles for some time now. Essentially implying that this year is going to be tough, however, according to economists, next year will be a lot better. We have a government committed to fiscally responsible spending and a Reserve Bank fighting inflation. The Reserve Bank’s…

  • Wednesday June 12

    2024 Budget Tax Changes

    2024 Budget Tax Changes   A brief summary of the tax changes included in the 2024 budget.    Income Threshold (existing)   Income Threshold (from 31 July 2024)   Tax Rate (%)   $0 - $14,000 $0 - $15,600 10.5 $14,001 - $48,000 $15,601 - $53,500 17.5 $48,001 - $70,000 $53,501 - $78,100 30 $70,001 - $180,000 $78,101 - $180,000 33 >$180,001 No…