Just for clients
This page is new and chats about events and trends we have observed over the last month in the practice.

At last the season has come to an end
It has been a long tax season for us. This year we filed more returns. While this was good it made us very busy at then in last few months, with staff working late in the evenings for weeks and over the weekends.

This week on Friday 4 April and Monday 7 April we are closed as the staff take a long weekend. They need it.

New staff
Directly connected to the above words we have added to new part-time staff. New on reception is Selina Gray and returning as a senior technician is Lynnne Weaver.

Use of home adjustments
With the cost of everything going up, so is the amount we are claiming as use of home adjustments.

For the new to business, this adjustment is where we claim a portion of your owned or rented house as a business cost.

The amount we claim is based on the floor are of the house and the running costs.

We claim a percentage of the rates, electricity, telephone, rent or mortgage interest.

And many of these have gone up significantly over the last years.

Five years ago the total claim we were making was typically in the range of $800 - $1200. Now the claims are climbed to often more than $3000. In some cases $4000 - $5000.

To be entitled to these claims measure you home area carefully and keep track of the running costs.

We will look at the work areas carefully and adjust if we think you are wrong.

But at the end of thee days these higher claims reflect a sad but obvious truth, that it is much more expensive to live at home.

Tax planning 2008 year
1 April is the start of a new year and all clients should at least for a few minutes consider what their profits and tax may be for this year.

One common mistake that both the clients and we make is assuming that this year is more or less like last year.

Of course you say, but we should know how the business is changing for you.

We are not as clever as you think. Sure we can look at GST reports if we do them, or review your Banklink data. But this is not always as conclusive as you think.

And what about for those clients who we only review annually? These businesses often surprise us. Profits are often up which is good, but so are taxes.

There are some good solutions to this problem. Reflect two to three times a year about your profit. And make contact with us.

Engagement Terms
Our terms are listed in the following PDF file.

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