Small Business Checklist
5024POSTED:
Keeping on top of the tax obligations for your business is obviously important. You want to make sure you pay the correct amount of tax, and pay it on time to avoid penalties with the IRD.
This is not difficult, especially with the help of your accountant, but it does require a certain amount of admin. This is made much easier if you are organised, and to that end, you’ll find some recommendations below.
1. Set up two separate bank accounts for the business. The first is for operating out of. The second account is for GST and your tax obligations – put a portion of your income into this account each time you get paid.
2. Do not use the business accounts as your personal bank accounts. Instead, transfer funds from your business account to your private account on a regular basis.
3. Get an accounting package like Xero.
4. If you use your car for business purposes, keep a logbook of the business and private use of the vehicle for three months.
5. Put all your vehicle running expenses through the business, and your accountant will make a private use adjustment at the end of the year.
6. Set up a lever arch folder split into different sections: expenses, income, and bank statements. Or even better, use the bill and receipt capture function included in Xero.
7. File your invoices/bank statements into the folder as they come in, or scan as you go.
8. Reconcile your bank account in Xero at least once a month.
9. Complete GST every two months. (Your accountant can do this for you.)
10. Pay provisional tax every four months. Note if you are a new business, you will not be in the provisional tax regime until you file your first income tax return
11. Complete tax returns each year. (Again, your accountant can do this for you.)
If you have any queries about these recommendations, or if there is anything else we can do to assist, please contact your GRA Client Services Manager. Or if you are new to our practice, book a free initial meeting to discuss how we can help you.
Comments
Testimonials
To whom it may concern: The Corporate Trustee team at Gilligan Rowe and Associates have been our Professional Trustee for our family trust and trading trust since May 2005. From the initial advice during the designing and creation of our trust structures through to the day to day operation of the entities, the support and guidance we have had from the Corporate Trustee team has been second to none. As a business owner and operator, I need to have reliable, efficient, proactive and knowledgeable people as part of our business team and Gilligan Rowe and Associates Trustee services tick the boxes in all of these criteria. I have no hesitation in commending and recommending Gilligan Rowe and Associates Trustee Services team to anyone who requires professional and competent guidance in the safe operation of their trust and in turn secure protection of their assets. - RNT
Property 101by Matthew Gilligan
Investing in residential property?
Put this at the top of your reading list.
If you're investing in residential property, seeking to maximise your ability to succeed and minimise risk, then this is a 'must read'.
Matthew Gilligan provides a fresh look at residential property investment from an experienced investor’s viewpoint. Written in easy to understand language and including many case studies, Matthew explains the ins and outs of successful property investment.
- How to find the right property
- How to negotiate successfully
- Renovation do's & don'ts
- Property management
- Case studies and examples
- and much, much more...
Free Resources, Tools & Downloads
