http://www.evansaccountants.co.nz/blog/ The latest Blog feeds from www.evansaccountants.co.nz en-us Sat, 31 Oct 2026 19:25:27 +1300 Rocketspark http://www.evansaccountants.co.nz/blog/post/171515/electric-and-hybrid-vehicles-what-you-can-claim/ Electric and hybrid vehicles may reduce fuel costs and emissions. Here is a quick guide on how your business can claim the costs of your EV or hybrid vehicle.Choose a method – actual costs or mileage ratesYou generally have two ways to calculate the business claim. Choose carefully, because the method normally stays with that vehicle while you own it.Actual costs: This method may suit a vehicle with high running costs or high business use, but it requires detailed records. If you are GST-regis... Tue, 13 Oct 2026 12:05:12 +1300 http://www.evansaccountants.co.nz/blog/#post171515 http://www.evansaccountants.co.nz/blog/post/171514/solar-systems-and-tax-what-you-can-claim/ Solar systems can lower power bills for homes, businesses, farms and commercial properties. They can also reduce your tax with smart record keeping. However, the tax result depends on three key questions:What makes up a solar system?Broadly, a solar system may contain several connected parts including:Solar panelsA batteryAn inverterMonitoring softwareSwitchboard protectionThe invoice should separate these items where possible. Their tax treatment depends on whether they are identifiable as sepa... Tue, 13 Oct 2026 11:54:32 +1300 http://www.evansaccountants.co.nz/blog/#post171514 http://www.evansaccountants.co.nz/blog/post/170745/acc-for-beginners-key-terms-cover-levels-and-helpful-resources/ When you are new to business, ACC language can feel confusing and understanding where the information ACC use comes from. Here are the points and key terms to know.Business Industry Classification, or BIC code, is the code that describes what your business mainly does. When you file your tax return or register for GST, Inland Revenue passes your BIC code, liable income or payroll, and contact details to ACC. ACC then uses that business code to place you into a Classification Unit, which groups s... Tue, 22 Sep 2026 11:11:17 +1200 http://www.evansaccountants.co.nz/blog/#post170745 http://www.evansaccountants.co.nz/blog/post/170744/acc-for-beginners-what-new-business-owners-need-to-know/ If you are starting a business in New Zealand, ACC helps protect you if you are injured and cannot work. If you are self-employed or a contractor, ACC usually puts you on standard CoverPlus automatically. This can pay weekly compensation based on your taxable income from the most recently completed financial year.For some new business owners, that may not give the right result. For example, your income may change a lot, your business may still earn money while you are off work, or you may not ha... Tue, 22 Sep 2026 11:05:49 +1200 http://www.evansaccountants.co.nz/blog/#post170744 http://www.evansaccountants.co.nz/blog/post/170081/could-coverplus-extra-save-your-business-money/ Many business owners and farmers do not spend much time thinking about ACC. But the type of ACC cover you choose can make a big difference to both your levy cost and the support you receive if you have an accident and cannot work.If you are self-employed, there are two common options: CoverPlus and CoverPlus Extra. CoverPlus is the default option. If you make a claim, ACC usually pays up to 80% of your taxable income, based on your most recently completed financial year.CoverPlus Extra works dif... Tue, 15 Sep 2026 11:17:00 +1200 http://www.evansaccountants.co.nz/blog/#post170081 http://www.evansaccountants.co.nz/blog/post/169795/when-did-claiming-a-coffee-or-meal-get-so-complicated/ We are often asked: “Can I claim this coffee, lunch or dinner?” It sounds like it should be a simple yes or no question, but with meal expenses the answer is usually: “It depends.”Some meal costs are fully deductible, some are only 50% deductible, and some cannot be claimed at all. The result depends on who paid for the meal, why it was provided, where it happened, and whether there was a private or entertainment element.The basic rule is that your own everyday food is normally private. ... Tue, 08 Sep 2026 12:05:46 +1200 http://www.evansaccountants.co.nz/blog/#post169795 http://www.evansaccountants.co.nz/blog/post/166558/understanding-inland-revenue-penalties-for-late-payment-and-late-filing/ Staying on top of your tax obligations is one of the simplest ways to avoid unnecessary costs for your business. However, we understand that deadlines can sometimes be missed, especially during busy periods.Inland Revenue (IRD) applies penalties for both late payments and late filing, and these costs can add up quickly. Here's what you need to know.Late Payment PenaltiesIf tax is not paid by the due date, IRD may apply a series of penalties.Income Tax, GST, FBT and Withholding Tax1% initial late... Sun, 21 Jun 2026 19:22:36 +1200 http://www.evansaccountants.co.nz/blog/#post166558 http://www.evansaccountants.co.nz/blog/post/165657/income-tax-rates/ Understanding New Zealand Income Tax RatesUnderstanding how income tax works is an important part of managing your finances and planning for the future. New Zealand operates a progressive tax system, meaning different portions of your income are taxed at different rates as your earnings increase.Whether you're an employee, self-employed, a company director, or a trustee, knowing which tax rates apply can help you make informed financial decisions and avoid surprises at tax time.Individual Income... Tue, 02 Jun 2026 11:59:59 +1200 http://www.evansaccountants.co.nz/blog/#post165657 http://www.evansaccountants.co.nz/blog/post/164475/acc-earners-levy/ ACC Earners’ Levy Changes (2023–2027)The ACC Earners’ Levy helps fund injury cover for all working New Zealanders and is deducted from salaries, wages, and self-employed income up to the maximum liable earnings threshold.For employees and self-employed individuals earning at or above the maximum threshold, the levy payable increases slightly each year as both the levy rate and income caps rise.Income YearEarners’ Levy Rate (inc. GST)Max Income Earners’ Levy (for employees) charged onMa... Tue, 12 May 2026 12:17:36 +1200 http://www.evansaccountants.co.nz/blog/#post164475 http://www.evansaccountants.co.nz/blog/post/164049/gst-thresholds-explained/ If you’re running a business in New Zealand, understanding GST thresholds is essential for staying compliant and choosing the right reporting setup. Whether you’re just starting out or scaling up, your annual taxable supplies will determine when you need to register for GST and how often you file.GST Thresholds & Filing OverviewAnnual Taxable SuppliesGST / Filing DetailsLess than $2mPayments basis option availableMore than $24m1 monthly filingLess than $500,0006 monthly option available$... Thu, 30 Apr 2026 12:46:06 +1200 http://www.evansaccountants.co.nz/blog/#post164049