Our Prices

The Emerald Business Advisers team will be transparent with you from the start. A quotation will be issued before you make your decision to switch, so you can budget with certainty. We do not charge clients for calls or emails if you are on the monthly plan. No hidden fees guaranteed! 

Yes, absolutely, we will work for you and with you to make sure your income and expenses are being recorded correctly and according to the correct tax laws. Your reports for the IRD will be completed on time and we will give you plenty of notice if there is tax payment to be made. Overall, the goal is not just to stay compliant, but to ensure you are paying correct, not more, not less tax than you have to.

Our advisory-focused accountants work with you year-round to help you understand your numbers, improve profitability, and plan for growth. We support you with clear insights into your current position and a strategy for the future.

Not difficult at all! Switching accountants is much easier than most people think. Once you decide to move, Emerald team, your new accountant will handle the transition. We will contact the previous accountant and request for your records. There is no disruption to your business, and the process is designed to be simple, professional, and stress-free.

Not everyone in New Zealand needs to file an IR3 tax return. Inland Revenue (IR) will automatically calculate your end-of-year tax if all your income is from salary, wages, or certain investments through their automatic income tax assessment. However, you must file an IR3 if you are self-employed, received rental income, earned overseas income, or had untaxed income during the year.

If you are self-employed, you can generally claim expenses that are incurred in earning your income. Common deductible expenses include vehicle costs, professional fees, subscriptions, business insurance, marketing costs, and depreciation.

Yes, if part of your home is used for work or business. You can claim a proportion of household expenses such as rent or mortgage interest, rates, insurance, power, and internet. The proportion is usually calculated based on the floor area used for work relative to the total home area.

Yes. Rental income is taxable in New Zealand and must be declared in your tax return. You can offset it with allowable rental expenses such as rates, insurance, property management fees, repairs and maintenance, and mortgage interest (subject to the interest limitation rules if in force).

It can be. New Zealand has a bright-line test, which means if you sell a residential property within a certain number of years of acquiring it, the profit is taxable as income. The rules have changed over time, so the applicable bright-line period depends on when you purchased the property. We recommend getting advice from an accountant before selling any property.

You must register for GST (Goods and Services Tax) if your business turnover exceeds (or is expected to exceed) $60,000 in a 12-month period. You can also register voluntarily, when appropriate. Once registered, you charge GST at 15% on taxable supplies and file GST returns with Inland Revenue. We can help you determine the best filing frequency for your business and assist with your filing obligations.

Provisional tax is a way of pre-paying your income tax in instalments throughout the year, rather than a large lump sum at the end. You generally become a provisional taxpayer if your residual income tax (tax after credits and deductions) is more than $5,000 in a year. Payments are typically made in three instalments. We will advise you if provisional tax applies to you and help you plan your payments.

Turnaround time depends on how quickly you provide us with your complete information and how complex your affairs are. We will keep you updated and always confirm the return with you before it is filed.

You are not alone! This is more common than people think. Inland Revenue may charge late filing penalties and interest on any tax owing, but they also have processes for catching up on outstanding returns. The best course of action is to engage us as soon as possible. We can liaise with IR on your behalf, prepare the outstanding returns, and in many cases negotiate a manageable repayment arrangement if tax is owed.

AI tools can be genuinely useful for organising your records, categorising expenses, and drafting summaries. We embrace technology that makes your life easier. However, we strongly recommend against using AI to prepare or file your actual tax returns without professional oversight. NZ tax law is complex and changes regularly, and AI tools can make mistakes or miss details specific to your circumstances. Please do not disclose your bank details and personal information to AI tools, as your details can become public information.

More importantly, you are legally responsible for the accuracy of any return filed in your name with Inland Revenue, regardless of how it was prepared. Errors can result in penalties, interest, and unwanted IR attention. Our role is to apply professional judgement, stay current with IRD updates, and stand behind the work we do for you. Think of AI as a helpful starting point and us as the experts who make sure everything is right before it is filed.