ABC Business Solutions Limited

03/09/2026

Health and Safety - FBT Exclusion

"When does the fringe benefit tax exclusion for benefits relating to health or safety apply?" It focuses on why a benefit is provided rather than what the item is.

Answer: Workplace health and safety benefits including employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) are exempt from Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) if they directly target and manage a specific workplace risk under the HSWA 2015, and either mimic an "on-premises" benefit or consist of personal protective equipment. General wellbeing benefits do not qualify. This position applies from 1 April 2026, Specifically Inland Revenue notes:

• The benefit must be for an employee.
• It must relate directly to health and safety.
• It must manage a specific workplace risk.
• The benefit does not apply to subsidised travel, accommodation or standard clothing unless they are specifically required to manage a distinct workplace health and safety hazard like protective clothing.

Applies
• Ergonomic desk and chair for employee who works from home to manage the risk of injury
• Counselling services - high-stress workplace affecting mental health
• Covid vaccinations
• Eye and hearing tests - risks relating to workplace
• First aid training to manage workplace injury risks
• Sunscreen for employees who work outside

Does not apply
• Corporate gym memberships, running or biking event to promote general health and well-being.
• Standard every day prescription glasses and hearing aids - because of personal benefit.
• Health insurance premium to manage general risks to an employee's health.

01/09/2026

Second-hand goods

Inland Revenue has more clearly defined the words “second-hand” and “paid”. “Second-hand” is fairly obvious, but you should note that for tax purposes the goods must have been bought in New Zealand.

Payment is of particular significance because it doesn’t matter if a person making the claim is on a payments or invoice basis for GST, they have to have actually paid for the goods to claim the whole amount of GST.

If you buy an asset and put down a deposit, the deposit is payment, but the balance has not yet been paid so you can’t claim second-hand goods GST input tax on this amount. But if you pay for the goods with arranged finance, you have then made payment and can claim the GST. Your loan repayments don’t contain GST.
Sometimes, the deposit will be made in one GST period, but the finance won’t be completed until the next GST period. If this happens, you have to delay your claim for GST on the amount financed until the second GST period.

Special rules apply where second-hand goods are bought from an associated person – such as your company buying a car owned by you.
There are also special rules about leasing.

23/08/2026

There was a lot of new material in the 2026 Budget. Probably the most important include the following.

Charities and not-for-profit organisations
Charities

From 1 April 2028 you will be able to claim refunds throughout the year for your donations to charity. You will also be allowed to instruct Inland Revenue to send your tax credit to that charity. The maximum donations claimable for a credit is going to be capped at $100,000 regardless of income.

Not-for-profit organisations
There was some discussion last year about members' subscriptions being taxable. That’s not going to happen – the law is to be changed to confirm subscriptions will not be treated as taxable income. From 1 April 2027 the tax-exempt threshold is to be lifted from the current first $1000 of income, to $10,000.
Volunteer honoraria have been taxed as Scheduler Payments. From 1 April 2028 organisations will be able to process honoraria as though they were salaries or wages, if they so choose.

Working for Families
From 1 April 2027 some of the Working for Families rules will be simplified. What will not need to be included in family income includes:
• deposits into the income equalisation schemes
• passive income of children
• highly specific tax-exempt allowances and salaries
• specific superannuation and annuity adjustments.
Additionally, the de minimis threshold for "other payments" supporting a family (such as a grandparent contributing regularly to school fees or groceries) is being lifted from $5,000 to $8,000

16/08/2026

Your best customer is worth protecting

Most businesses spend a lot of time trying to find new customers. But the easiest sales often come from people who already know and trust you.

Research consistently shows that retaining an existing customer is generally far less expensive than acquiring a new one. Existing customers are more likely to buy again, spend more over time, and recommend your business to others.

One local tradesperson recently introduced a simple follow-up system. Every completed job received a thank-you email, followed three months later by a friendly check-in asking whether everything was still working well.
The result wasn't just positive feedback. Previous customers began booking additional work and referring neighbours and family members.

Customer loyalty doesn't require expensive marketing campaigns. Often it's built through small, consistent actions: responding promptly, communicating clearly, delivering on promises, and staying in touch after the sale.

Think about your own customer database. When was the last time you contacted your existing clients without trying to sell something?

Sharing helpful tips, industry updates or seasonal reminders keeps your business front of mind. Your competitors are always looking for your customers, so a little attention today can prevent them looking elsewhere tomorrow.

07/08/2026

The business that runs without you

Could your business operate for two weeks without you? For many owners, the honest answer is no.

That's understandable. Most small businesses are built around the owner's knowledge, relationships and decision-making. However, this dependence creates risk. Illness, family emergencies, much-needed holidays time, or unexpected opportunities can quickly expose weaknesses.

Businesses become more valuable – and less stressful to own – when systems replace memory. If you want to step back from the daily tasks that your business depends on, start by documenting those tasks. Create simple checklists for opening and closing processes, invoicing, customer enquiries and ordering stock. Store important passwords securely and ensure key staff understand the essential work.
Cross-training employees also reduces reliance on any one individual.

These improvements don't just prepare for emergencies. They save time, improve consistency and make hiring new staff much easier.

If you ever plan to sell your business, documented systems can also increase its value. Buyers are purchasing a business that works, not just a job that depends on the owner. To be clear, building systems isn't about making yourself unnecessary. It's about giving yourself better options.

28/07/2026

There’s always a cost to waiting - Every business owner has a list of jobs they'll "get around to one day." Updating prices. Chasing old debtors. Reviewing subscriptions. Looking at insurance. Checking whether staff are using the latest software properly.
The problem is, small costs rarely stay small.

One café owner recently reviewed their monthly expenses after noticing profits weren't matching sales. Within an hour they found three software subscriptions they no longer used, an internet plan that was far more expensive than market rates, and merchant service fees that hadn't been negotiated in years.

Their review found more than $4000 a year in savings – without selling one extra coffee.
Many business owners focus on increasing revenue while overlooking expenses that quietly grow over time. Inflation, automatic renewals and changing supplier pricing can all erode profits.

A simple annual "business health check" can uncover surprising opportunities. Review recurring expenses, compare suppliers, check margins on your best-selling products, and make sure your pricing still reflects today's costs – which seem to rise daily.

Even small improvements compound over time.
Growing a business isn't always about working harder. Sometimes it's about stopping money from quietly leaking away.

24/07/2026

23/07/2026

Charities and not-for-profit organisations
Charities - From 1 April 2028 you will be able to claim refunds throughout the year for your donations to charity. You will also be allowed to instruct Inland Revenue to send your tax credit to that charity. The maximum donations claimable for a credit is going to be capped at $100,000 regardless of income.

Not-for-profit organisations
There was some discussion last year about members' subscriptions being taxable. That’s not going to happen – the law is to be changed to confirm subscriptions will not be treated as taxable income. From 1 April 2027 the tax-exempt threshold is to be lifted from the current first $1000 of income, to $10,000.

Volunteer honoraria have been taxed as Scheduled Payments.
From 1 April 2028 organisations will be able to process honoraria as though they were salaries or wages, if they so choose.

20/07/2026

Running a small business comes with challenges but also huge opportunities. We believe in supporting local businesses. Here are some simple yet powerful tips to help you grow your business.

14/07/2026

📌 Many small businesses don’t realise a business can be busy and still be broke.
Being busy feels good — phones ringing, customers coming in, orders going out. But activity doesn’t always equal profitability.
A business can be running flat out and still be losing money because:

-The pricing is too low for the actual cost of delivering the service
-Discounts and “mates rates” quietly eat the margin
-Cashflow is delayed because invoicing is slow or customers pay late
-Owners are working 60–70 hours a week to cover roles that should be paid staff
-Rising costs (rent, supplies, wages, fuel) quietly erode the bottom line
-The business is carrying unprofitable products or services out of habit
-There’s no time left for planning, reviewing numbers, or making strategic decisions

Busyness can hide financial stress — sometimes until it’s too late.
Real strength comes from clarity, not activity: knowing your margins, understanding your cashflow, pricing correctly, and building a structure that doesn’t rely on burnout.
If your business feels “busy but broke,” it’s a sign to pause, review, and reset.
Busy is good. Profitable is better. Sustainable is best.