Entries by Giles

Trust Deed Review – do I need one?

Got a trust? Most likely – it’s estimated there may be more one million trusts in New Zealand. This is the result of the trust formation industry that exploded in the 1980 and 1990 as people sought to avoid estate tax and superannuation charges. More were set up in the 2000s to avoid asset testing […]

I have a Family Trust – what are my obligations?

During the 1980s and 1990s, Kiwi’s in their tens of thousands set up family trusts to hold their family home and avoid estate duties. More were set up in the 2000s by those wanting to avoid asset testing for residential care and the effects of the Property (Relationships) Act. Typically these trusts were set up […]

Recent Tax Changes…

Lots of things have happened this month and now is a good chance to have a look at some of the changes and how they may relate to you and your business. PAYROLL MINIMUM WAGE INCREASE – the minimum wage has gone from $14.25 per hour to $14.75 per hour – your April payroll should […]

5 Tips to Prepare Quotes That Get Accepted

Small businesses win work by using sales quotes. Yet they often don’t realise that how they prepare quotes can cost them business. Many lose revenue by not following up on quotes or turning quotes around fast enough.  According to a recent survey, the number one financial challenge of small businesses is cashflow and getting paid.* […]

Xero’s Top Tips for Tax Time

With the end of the financial year only just around the corner, Xero’s Head of Accounting, Grant Anderson, has prepared some top tax tips to make things a bit easier come April 2015. 1. Talk to your accountant before year end Start thinking about tax now. It is best to start planning for tax early. […]

Five key business improvements

A new financial year is always a great opportunity for business owners to take a step back and think about what they can do to improve on previous years. Sometimes, the answers are glaringly obvious, but in other instances, you may have to think a little outside the box. Even if you are entirely satisfied […]

Vehicle licensing

On 1 July 2015 the ACC vehicle licensing levy is being reduced. The cost of relicensing most vehicles will drop by around $130 a year. If you need to renew your vehicle’s registration before then, you can save money by renewing your registration to expire in July 2015. Note that the relicensing form and online […]

Parental tax credit changes

For babies born on or after 1 April 2015, the Government will increase the parental tax credit from $150 a week to $220 a week, and extend the payment period from eight weeks to ten weeks. How much you receive also depends on: your total family income before tax the number of dependent children in […]