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Snippets; FBT and home to work travel
A common complaint made by employers is that the amount of time it takes to meet their FBT obligations is disproportionate to the amount of tax it actually generates. This frustration is arguably borne out in the number of mistakes that are often made when calculating the amount of FBT payable. A good example is
Snippets: Trusts – The big picture
For some, the increase in the trust tax rate from 33% to 39% has prompted them to ask the question – should we wind up our trust? Rather than looking at the purpose of having a trust with a narrow tax lens, it may be of benefit to consider your circumstances more broadly and ask
Protect your reputation
Over the last 18 months there have been a number of businesses fall over – which in and of itself has not been surprising given the recent economic climate. However, one element that serves as a warning for us all is the flow on effect of those failures. Not just in a tangible sense, where
The LTC option
If a company sells a capital asset (e.g. commercial land) and derives a non-taxable capital gain, it’s reasonable to expect the shareholders to want access to the cash. However, the problem often arises that in order for a capital gain to be distributed tax-free, the company needs to be wound up. This is a result
Amalgamation could be the solution
As businesses expand, a common decision is whether to create new companies to accommodate new ventures, risks, products and/or acquisitions. A well-designed group structure enables a ‘parent’ company to create distinct entities that operate independently. This approach has several benefits – it provides flexibility as it allows control and visibility over each entity’s direction, policies,
From my desk…
Season’s Greetings, Please call in if you are passing and try this year’s Christmas cake. Fonterra has produced a record result for our Dairy clients with an expected $10 plus daily payout for the 2024/2025 season. This along with the falling interest rates will provide challenges when it comes to income tax planning. Please book
The depreciable asset
The depreciation rate for non-residential buildings has been reduced to 0%, effective from the 2024 / 25 income year. However, commercial fit-out remains depreciable. This makes the distinction between the two important because it is the difference between not being able to deduct any depreciation at all versus being able to claim a good proportion
New product lines
It is important to regularly ask whether you are providing the products that your customers want and whether there are any new products that you could provide to ensure you are evolving with changing times as you look for the next income stream. There are plenty of examples of new products meeting an unexpected demand
Changes in marginal tax thresholds
For the first time since 2010, personal tax rate thresholds will change from 31 July 2024. The change was announced as part of the 2024 budget. When personal tax thresholds are not regularly adjusted to take into account inflation or wage growth, individuals end up paying a higher percentage of their income in taxes over
Donating trading stock
What was a temporary tax concession relating to donated trading stock has now become a permanent one thanks to the enactment of the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Act 2024 on 1 April 2024. Prior to March 2020, in most cases, if a business donated trading stock it resulted in
Employee Share Schemes
For businesses that trade through a company, circumstances might arise in which the shareholders consider selling a minority stake in the company to a key employee or group of employees. This could be to ensure that key talent is ‘locked in’ for the long term, as a means of succession if the existing shareholders are
Non-BAU transactions
BAU is a phrase that is used to describe “business as usual”. It is a good barometer of whether anything strange or unusual has occurred or whether things have been BAU. Invariably, non BAU transactions will occur: an insurance payout, a large asset purchase, a fine or a penalty. This then leads to the question
