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There’s a lot to think about when you’re starting a new business. It’s important you understand your responsibilities to help you get it right from the start and avoid penalties and interest.

We recommend you check out the business.govt.nz website, and also get advice from an accountant, lawyer, tax agent or business advisor.

Smart business guide

Our Smart business guide - IR320 has a lot of information that will help you start a new business.

 

Starting your business

Naming your business

Use ONECheck to check if someone else is already using the name you had in mind for a business or a brand.

ONE Check

Checklists

Use these handy checklists to make sure you cover your legal obligations including tax, health and safety, licensing and regulation and so on.

Compliance Matters

Choose a business structure

Self-employed, partnership or company?

There are different ways to set up your business, with different tax obligations for each. It can be expensive to change your business structure, so it’s important to choose the right one.

Read about these and other options in our ‘Setting up a business or organisation’ page. Business.govt.nz has a tool to help you choose.

Setting up a business or organisation

Choose a business structure

Tax seminars, workshops and videos

We run free seminars and workshops across New Zealand on topics like getting started in business, GST, and becoming an employer.

We’ve also made a series of seminars covering the most commonly asked questions from our small to medium sized business community.

Running a business or organisation

Request a business advisory visit

Introduction to Business

GST Workshop

Employers workshop

Income tax for business

Most businesses and organisations that make an income in New Zealand need to file an income tax return.

Plan and save for your taxes, and you’ll have better control of your cash flow, avoid penalties for late payment, and save yourself stress.

Income tax for businesses and organisations

Goods and services tax (GST)

Once you turnover $60,000 a year, you need to register for GST, charge 15% GST on your sales and income, and pay it to us. You can claim GST back on your purchases and expenses.

GST

Employing people

When you start employing people, you need to register as an employer and make deductions from their pay.

Employing Staff

 

Last updated: 15 May 2023
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