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Navigating the business scape

Are you ready for the tax year end - 31 March 2026?

16/3/2026

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Kia ora,
With the 31 March 2026 financial year end approaching, we're beginning our annual planning to ensure your accounts and tax returns are handled smoothly, accurately, and on time. To kick off the process, here's what we need from you and key dates to remember.

What we need from you
Please start gathering the following information as soon as it becomes available:
  • Bank, credit card, and loan statements for the full year (1 April 2025 – 31 March 2026) in CSV format. If not using Xero, please request a statement showing balances as at 31 March 2026 from your bank or lender.
  • Debtors and creditors listings as at 31 March 2026, including overdue or disputed amounts. Please also review any credit notes issued after balance date that can be applied to income for the year.
  • Income-in-advance: Let us know about any deposits or advances received before 31 March for work not yet completed.
  • Stock on hand: Provide a closing stock listing as at 31 March 2026 (physical stocktake if possible), valued at cost.
  • Fixed asset changes: Include details of new asset purchases, disposals, or assets no longer in use.
  • Payroll records: Submit final March pays, bonuses, and shareholder-employee salary decisions. Any amounts owing to employees at year-end (holiday pay, bonuses, etc.) can be claimed for tax if paid within 63 days.
  • Legal expenses: Up to $10,000 can be deducted if services are rendered by someone authorised to practice law in NZ or Australia.
  • Repairs & maintenance: Provide details of each item so we can determine if they're deductible or capital expenditure.
  • Travel expenses: Claim business travel by keeping a diary and relevant invoices/tickets, including trip purpose, dates, itinerary, costs, and time spent on business/non-business activities. Travel from home to work is not deductible.
  • Prepaid expenses: Some March expenses (stationery, postage, vehicle registration, rates, subscriptions, audit/accounting fees) can be deducted for this year. Treat them consistently with prior years.
  • Entertainment expenses: See appendix A for details.
  • Motor vehicle expenses: See appendix B for details.
  • Home office expenses: See appendix C for details.
  • GST and PAYE filings: If not filed through our office, please submit records.
  • Financing documents: Include new loan agreements or refinancing details.
  • Major contracts or one-off transactions that may impact tax treatment.
  • Home office, motor vehicle, or mixed-use cost information, if applicable.
  • Trust distribution decisions: Advise us of any changes to trustees or beneficiaries.

Key tax considerations for 2026
A few important reminders:
  • Provisional tax: Final instalment is due 7 May 2026.
  • GST: Return for the period ended 31 March 2026 is also due 7 May 2026.
  • Interest deductibility rules: Residential property interest deductions continue under current phase-in rules for 2025–26; we will confirm correct treatment after review.
  • Shareholder current accounts: Let us know if any drawings, dividends, or top-ups are planned pre-year end.
  • Bad debts: These must be written off by 31 March 2026 to be deductible.
  • Accruals and prepayments: Flag any significant items; we will review after receiving your information.

How to send us your information
Please ensure all relevant bank accounts and credit cards are linked to Xero, and that Core Advisory has access to your entities on Xero. Email all relevant information to your key contact (Mamta, Vijay, or Nish) and copy [email protected].
If you're unsure what applies to your business, we're here to help.

Timeline and next steps
To keep things moving, please send us your year-end information by 30 April 2026. Once received, we will:
  • Confirm any outstanding items
  • Begin preparing your financial statements
  • Advise on tax positions, provisional tax, and planning opportunities
  • Provide expected completion dates
Thank you for your cooperation and for trusting us with your accounting and tax needs. Preparing early helps us deliver the most accurate and timely results for you.
Ngā mihi,
Team at Core Advisory Limited

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Appendix A – Entertainment expenses
As a general rule, if you provide entertainment for your team or clients, some of your business entertainment expenses are tax deductible. The basic idea is that an expense is business-related if you spend the money to help your business earn income. It becomes a little bit trickier when there’s an element of private enjoyment. If this is the case, then the expense is only 50% deductible. 
In general, any entertainment away from work or out of usual work hours has a private element, therefore only 50% deductible. For unusual entertainment items, contact our team for advice
 50% deductible
  • Evening gatherings with drinks for staff or clients, at the office or public venues.
  • Hosting entertainment events for clients.
  • Restaurants providing catering for team social functions.
  • Sponsoring local sports teams with access to corporate box tickets (50% of ticket value is deducted from sponsorship).
  • Supplying meals for sponsored sports teams after games.
  • Staff Christmas parties on- or off-site.
  • Client dinner events.
  • Accommodation at holiday homes or similar, with food and drinks included.
 100% deductible
  • Dinner for sales rep out of town with no client
  • Food donation to children’s hospital Christmas party
  • Salary package includes taxable client entertainment allowance
  • Company-paid golf club subscription (possible FBT)
  • Employer-paid gym membership (possible FBT)
  • Meal for journalist reviewing your business
  • Tea and sandwiches at team and supervisor meetings
  • Local sports team sponsorship
  • Client dinner during out-of-town business (outside NZ)

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Appendix B – Motor vehicle expenses
If you have a vehicle (not a company vehicle), which is used for business and private purposes, there are several options for claiming the business portion of expenses.
One option can be particularly useful if a private vehicle is only used occasionally for business use. There are also GST implications to be considered.
These rates apply to the first 14,000 km of total travel (business + private). For most employees, all business travel falls within Tier 1.
  • Petrol — $1.17 per km
  • Diesel — $1.26 per km
  • Petrol hybrid — $0.86 per km
  • Electric — $1.08 per km
After 14,000 km of total travel, Tier 2 rates apply (running costs only), but this is uncommon for employee reimbursements.
These rates are widely accepted for employee mileage reimbursement and can be paid tax‑free provided they do not exceed the IRD rate.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Appendix C – Home office expenses
Self-employed individuals who use part of their home for business can claim a partial deduction for related expenses. You don’t need a dedicated workspace but must keep records of all claimed costs. If there’s no separate area, apportion expenses based on time spent and space used for business activities. Private or domestic expenses are not deductible.
These include:
  • Heating
  • Lighting
  • Rates
  • Insurance
  • Mortgage interest
  • House and contents insurance
  • Repairs and maintenance
  • Telephone rental
  • Depreciation on office assets
You can only claim the expenses that relate to the area used for business. Work out the percentage of the work area, compared to the total floor area of the house. Examples of areas likely to be used for business purposes include:
  • Office
  • Storage
  • Workshop
  • Vehicle garage
  • Keep home office records like other business expenses.

​_______________________________________________________________________________________________
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021 823 750
12F Amera Place, Huntington Park, Auckland 2013
09 272 3000
[email protected]
www.mtf.co.nz/botany
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  • Home
  • Our Team
  • Our Services
    • Corporate Advisory
    • Transaction Advisory
    • Company Formation
    • Governance
    • Accounting Services
    • Taxation Services
  • News & Insights
  • Tools & Resources
    • Key Tax Dates
  • Contact Us