March 6, 2018
The turn of the calendar year is a popular time for making a new start – whether it is committing to a diet, starting an exercise regime or just promising to be nicer to your colleagues, friends and family. But what about financial resolutions? Ask any coach and they'll tell you the keys to… Read full post »
March 6, 2018
The Residential Care Subsidy (“Subsidy”) is becoming increasingly topical as New Zealand’s 65+ population is projected to increase from 15% in 2016 to over 25% by 2068. The growth in this population will increase the number of Subsidy applications for financial assistance for long-term residential… Read full post »
March 6, 2018
As an employment lawyer, I have mixed feelings about the proposed changes - some are a step backwards. Proposed Changes include: 90 day trial periods: small businesses (less than 20 employees) will be relieved that trial periods will still be possible. However, it should be noted that when… Read full post »
March 6, 2018
CG comment – IRD are running an extensive campaign promoting AIM and what it perceives to be its benefits over existing methods for calculating and paying provisional tax. This campaign includes contacting taxpayers directly to arrange visits to discuss how AIM works.The idea behind AIM is that… Read full post »
March 6, 2018
The Minister of Revenue announced recently that a Supplementary Order Paper to the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2017–18, Employment and Investment Income, and Remedial Matters) Bill has been introduced to extend the bright-line period from 2 to 5 years. The 5-year period will only apply to… Read full post »
March 6, 2018
You may have heard (on the Radio or TV) about Mike King’s I Am Hope Aotearoa Tour where Mike and a bunch of mates are riding Suzuki 50cc scooters from one end of the country to the other. Along the way they'll stop at around 45 schools and community halls and talk to more than 20,000 schoolkids and… Read full post »
January 10, 2018
What Should Investors Make of Bitcoin Mania? Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies are receiving intense media coverage, prompting many investors to wonder whether these new types of electronic money deserve a place in their portfolios. Cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin emerged only in the past… Read full post »
January 8, 2018
Easter Sunday is not a public holiday, yet most businesses used to have to be closed on this particular day. However, changes to the Shop Trading Hours Act 1990 (the “Act”) that came into effect in August 2016 mean that all territorial authorities (city and district councils) now have the power to… Read full post »
January 8, 2018
A warning for directors and even shareholders: Directors, and shareholders for that matter, can’t assume that they can hide behind their companies if they engage in misleading or deceptive conduct in trade. The following details have been taken from a recent Commerce Commission media release: A… Read full post »
January 8, 2018
Inland Revenue has sent out 40,000 letters and emails urging small and medium size businesses to look at using accounting software, so they can make the most of upcoming changes to the tax system. IR Marketing Manager Katie Solomon says Inland Revenue is working with software providers to link… Read full post »
January 8, 2018
The main message in the latest marketing campaign to target tax crime in the building sector has raised a few eyebrows. Inland Revenue has been warning in a series of radio ads and billboards over the past few weeks that “every undeclared cash job leaves a trail”. Investigations and Advice… Read full post »
January 8, 2018
If you’ve been watching the financial news recently you’ve almost certainly come across the terms ‘Bitcoin’ and ‘Blockchain’. What are they and how exactly do they work? While its spectacular rises and falls have garnered Bitcoin a high degree of notoriety, the underlying technology and its… Read full post »
January 8, 2018
The new Families Package announced by the Government includes a Winter Energy Payment, Best Start, changes to Accommodation Supplement and Working for Families tax credits. Winter Energy Payment From 1 July 2018, a Winter Energy Payment will be available to help with the cost of heating homes… Read full post »
January 8, 2018
At the ANZ Business Breakfast Speech on 1 December 2017, the Finance Minister, the Hon Grant Robertson, outlined the goals and some of the key policy initiatives in the Government’s economic strategy. A brief summary of these is as follows:Budget responsibility rules A sustainable operating surplus… Read full post »
November 28, 2017
The financial media is drawn to
catchphrases –acronyms and buzzwords that can be sold as the new thing. 'FAANG'
(Facebook, Apple, Amazon, Netflix and Google) is the latest of these. But does
this constitute an investment strategy?For
journalists, commentators and marketers, acronyms like FAANG… Read full post »
November 28, 2017
Family trusts are a practical structure for holding assets, particularly in New Zealand where there are approximately 300,000 to 500,000 trusts operating today. Currently, the Trustee Act 1956 and the Perpetuities Act 1964 contain provisions which need to be read in conjunction with case law… Read full post »
November 28, 2017
I was interviewed by Radio NZ about a car hire company which, unfortunately, lost out on one of its vehicles because it didn’t understand that Personal Property Securities Act (PPSA), despite the fact that the PPSA is nearly 20 years old. Different types of business could suffer considerable loss… Read full post »
November 28, 2017
IRD are looking hard at tax crime in the building sector, you might have come across some of their advertising about it. Whether it's you or your accountant that prepares your GST and income tax returns, please make sure all your income is declared. If you don't declare cash jobs you can be hit… Read full post »
November 28, 2017
From April 2018, small businesses will be able to leave the hard work of provisional tax to software with the new Accounting Income Method (AIM). AIM is a new option for calculating provisional tax through approved accounting software. It will use your business’ accounting information to work out… Read full post »
November 28, 2017
Help your staff with paying their student loan at NO cost to you! Enhance your reputation as an employer of choice through this innovative employee benefit. In a world first, Repay has created the unique opportunity for New Zealander’s to pay money towards a student loan debt by utilising… Read full post »