Apex Accountancy Limited

31/08/2026

31/08/2026

Hello, Spring!

Today marks the first day of Spring 2026 and believe it or not, we only have about 16 weeks left in the year!

For many small businesses, these final months can make a big difference.

It’s a chance to finish the year strong, build up cash flow, and prepare for what’s ahead in 2027.

So, this Spring, let’s support local!

Instead of always heading to the big chains, consider spending a little closer to home:

• Buy your meat from your local butcher
• Grab your morning coffee from your local café
• Pick up your bread from a local bakery
• Book your next haircut with a local business
• Shop from a small local retailer
• Use a local tradie when you need a job done

Every purchase helps a local business keep their doors open, pay their team, and continue serving our community.

You don’t have to spend more, sometimes it’s simply about choosing local when you can.

Spring is a season of growth. Let’s help our local businesses grow too.

Support local. Shop local. Eat local.

Apex Tax New Zealand
Accounting | Tax | Business Advisory

31/08/2026

What is an Inland Revenue Client Risk Review?

Receiving a letter or request for information from Inland Revenue (IRD) can feel concerning, but a risk review is not necessarily an audit.

A risk review is generally used by IRD to gather information and assess the likelihood of tax non-compliance. IRD may review information to understand a taxpayer’s circumstances and decide whether further action is needed.

What might IRD look at?

Depending on the situation, IRD may request information such as:

• Financial statements and accounting records
• GST returns and supporting documents
• Income and expense records
• Bank statements or transaction information
• Business activities and how income has been reported
• Other information relevant to your tax position

Risk Review ≠ Audit

A risk review is different from an audit. A risk review helps IRD assess compliance risk. If the review identifies issues that require a more detailed examination, IRD may decide to proceed with an audit.

What should you do if you receive a risk review request?

• Read the IRD letter carefully and check what information is being requested.
• Provide complete and accurate information within the required timeframe.
• Review your tax records before responding.
• If you discover an error, consider getting professional advice about your options.
• Keep copies of everything you provide to IRD.

Don’t ignore an IRD request.

A risk review can be an opportunity to identify and correct issues before they become more serious. Keeping accurate records and making sure your tax returns are supported by proper documentation can help you respond confidently if IRD asks questions.

Need help responding to an IRD risk review?

Apex Tax New Zealand can help you understand the request, review your records, and assist with preparing the information required.

Contact us today for professional tax assistance.

Cristina
Phone: 022 076 7577
Email: [email protected]

Roja
Phone: 022 131 0205
Email: [email protected]

Jayvee
Phone: 022 174 4956
Email: [email protected]

www.apexaccounting.co.nz

Apex Tax New Zealand
Accounting | Tax | Business Advisory

31/08/2026

🇵🇭🇳🇿 COMMUNITY KŌRERO — WHERE SHOULD WE GO NEXT?

Last month, Apex Tax New Zealand, together with Salvador Gloria from ANZ, Ms. Plivia Alaba of Business PH, Ms. Nicole Maballug of Saunders & Co, and Ms. Myra Mifrano of RM Canterbury, held a Community Kōrero for our Kababayan in Cromwell and Queenstown.

https://www.businessph.co.nz/
https://rmhomes.co.nz/
https://www.saunders.co.nz/our-people-christchurch-lawyers-saunders-and-co/nicole-macaballug/

It was a great opportunity to meet our Filipino community and Filipino business leaders who are tirelessly working to drive our community forward, create opportunities, and contribute to the growth of our beautiful New Zealand.

We shared practical information, answered questions, and talked about business, banking, tax, opportunities, and building a successful life and business here in New Zealand.

We believe in the power of community. When we share our knowledge, experience and connections, we help our Kababayan make better decisions for their businesses, their families and their future.

Kapag sama-sama, mas malayo ang mararating natin.

So, where should we go next?

📍 Wellington? Christchurch? Auckland? Ashburton? Timaru? Invercargill? Dunedin ?Or somewhere else in New Zealand?

Tell us in the comments. We would love to bring our next Community Kōrero to your community. 🇵🇭🇳🇿

Kita-kits sa next Community Kōrero!



— Apex Tax New Zealand

31/08/2026

28/08/2026

🎉 Happy Birthday to our Auckland Accountant, Francess Faye! 🎂🥳

Wishing you a very Happy Birthday, Faye!

Thank you for being such a kind, thoughtful and wonderful member of the Apex team. We truly appreciate your positive attitude, your willingness to help, and the care you bring to your work and to the people around you.

We hope your birthday is filled with happiness, laughter and plenty of reasons to celebrate. May the year ahead bring you continued success, exciting opportunities and many wonderful moments with the people who matter most to you.

Enjoy your special day—you deserve it! 💐🎈

Happy Birthday from all of us at Apex Accountancy Limited | Apex Tax New Zealand! ❤️

28/08/2026

Bogus expenses claims are fraud
https://www.ird.govt.nz/media-releases/2026/bogus-expenses-claims-are-fraud

Inland Revenue (IR) has identified a coordinated scheme with people claiming bogus expenses and is warning anyone trying to get money that way is committing fraud.

An investigation was launched earlier this month after a specialist IR team noticed some unusual returns and took a closer look.

Inland Revenue’s Sarah Bourke says “people who claim expenses that are not legitimate could be subject to sanctions, including a 150% evasion shortfall penalty and/or prosecution, as well as having to pay the money back.

“Our investigation has identified, and stopped, nearly three thousand fraudulent amended returns, including 542 received in just one night,” Sarah Bourke says.

“$151,787 of refunds were paid out before a new measure was put in place to stop the fraud while $4.015m in bogus claims was stopped. Inland Revenue is taking action to recover the money with one individual already under an instalment arrangement to pay it back.”

Sarah Bourke says the fraud scheme appears to be spreading through a community and/or workplace network.

“What initially appeared to be concentrated in the transport industry has broadened significantly to other areas across the country.

“As well several customers came into our Front of House in Auckland and Wellington earlier in the week wanting to reset their myIR passwords so they could amend their returns.

“They told IR staff the word in the transport industry was that there were people who knew how to get extra money and mentioned someone on social media offering to help people with the expense claims.

“Work is already underway to identify people promoting/running the scheme. If anyone is thinking they can make a quick buck by joining in the scheme they should think again. Inland Revenue is aware, can see what is happening and will take action. There are always consequences,” Sarah Bourke says,

Inland Revenue has also received anonymous information about what’s happening, information received after the scheme was picked up.

26 August 2026 Inland Revenue (IR) has identified a coordinated scheme with people claiming bogus expenses and is warning anyone trying to get money that way is committing fraud. An investigation was launched earlier this month after a specialist IR team noticed some unusual returns and took a close...

25/08/2026

Tanong ni Juan #13:
“Pwede ba akong mag-start ng business sa New Zealand habang naka-work visa ako?”

Sagot: Depende sa conditions ng visa mo. Hindi lahat ng work visa ay nagbibigay ng automatic permission na mag-operate ng sariling business.

Kapag naka-work visa ka, mahalagang maintindihan na may specific conditions ang visa mo tungkol sa kung anong work ang puwede mong gawin, para kanino ka puwedeng magtrabaho, at minsan kung anong occupation o employer ang allowed.

Employee vs. Self-Employed

May malaking difference ang pagiging employee at pagiging self-employed/contractor.

Employee:
Ikaw ay employed ng isang employer at may employment agreement. Karaniwan, ang employer ang responsible sa PAYE deductions at employer obligations.

Self-employed/Contractor:
Ikaw mismo ang nag-ooperate ng business o nagbibigay ng services sa clients. Ikaw ang responsible sa iyong business records, income tax, expenses, at iba pang applicable tax obligations.

Kaya kung ang visa mo ay may condition na maaari kang mag-work only for a specific employer, hindi ibig sabihin na puwede ka nang basta-basta mag-start ng side business o kumuha ng sariling clients.

Bago magsimula ng business, tingnan muna ang exact conditions ng iyong visa.

Consider these questions:
• Ano ang conditions ng iyong work visa?
• Pinapayagan ba nito ang self-employment o pag-operate ng sariling business?
• May restrictions ba sa type of work o employer?
• Ano ang magiging tax obligations mo kung mag-business ka?

Important:
Huwag basta mag-register o mag-operate ng business nang hindi muna chine-check ang immigration conditions before starting the activity, at alamin din ang tax obligations mo once you begin earning business income.

May tax question ka?

I-comment mo lang sa ibaba, at baka ikaw na ang next Tanong ni Juan!

Get in touch with us today!

Cristina
Phone: 022 076 7577
Email: [email protected]

Roja
Phone: 022 131 0205
Email: [email protected]

Jayvee
Phone: 022 174 4956
Email: [email protected]

www.apexaccounting.co.nz

Apex Tax New Zealand
Accounting | Tax | Business Advisory

23/08/2026

The wait is over!

The new Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) residence settings and Work to Residence wage rate changes are now live. With new residence pathways, updates to the points system, and changes to wage threshold rules, there may be new opportunities to make New Zealand your home.

Find out what you need to do to apply, check your eligibility, and explore the pathway that's right for you.

https://www.immigration.govt.nz/visas/skilled-migrant-category-resident-visa/

https://www.immigration.govt.nz/visas/work-to-residence-visa/

19/08/2026

BUSINESS OWNERS: DON’T IGNORE YOUR TAX DEBT

Alam mo ba? Hindi kailangan ng consent mo para mag-issue ng tax deduction notice ang Inland Revenue.

Yes, may legal authority ang IRD na mag-deduct ng money sa bank account ng taxpayer kahit walang approval and consent para mabayaran ang overdue tax debt.

Under Section 157 of the Tax Administration Act 1994, if a taxpayer is in default on certain tax payments, the Commissioner of Inland Revenue can issue a deduction notice to a third party, gaya ng bank, requiring them to deduct money payable to the taxpayer and pay it directly to IRD.

Hindi kailangan ang approval o consent ng taxpayer para maging valid ang deduction notice.

Kapag nakatanggap ang bank o ibang third party ng valid deduction notice, may legal obligation silang sundin ito. The taxpayer cannot simply tell the bank to ignore or cancel the deduction notice.

IMPORTANT:

Hindi ibig sabihin na puwedeng basta-basta kunin ng IRD ang pera ng kahit sino.

May specific legal requirements at procedures na kailangang sundin. The law gives Inland Revenue the power to make deductions when the relevant statutory conditions apply.

At ayon mismo sa IRD, kapag hindi na-resolve ang overdue debt, maaaring gamitin ang bank deduction kapag hindi suitable ang ibang collection options.

Ano ang dapat gawin ng business owners?

• Keep your GST, PAYE & income tax payments up to date.
Huwag gamitin ang GST at PAYE funds para sa everyday business expenses.

• Review your cash flow and pricing.
Make sure na enough ang pricing at business margins para ma-cover ang operating costs at tax obligations.

• May existing tax debt?
Explore a realistic payment arrangement instead of ignoring the problem.

• Nahihirapan magbayad? Talk to IRD early.
Mas okay na makipag-communicate agad kaysa hintayin ang collection or enforcement action.

Kung may overdue GST, PAYE, or income tax ang business mo, importante na aksyunan ito agad. Ang maagang communication at realistic payment plan ay maaaring makatulong para hindi na lumaki pa ang problema.

Need help managing your business tax obligations or tax debt? Message Apex Tax New Zealand, we're here to help you stay on top of your tax.

Cristina
Phone: 022 076 7577
Email: [email protected]

Roja
Phone: 022 131 0205
Email: [email protected]

Jayvee
Phone: 022 174 4956
Email: [email protected]

Apex Tax New Zealand
Accounting | Tax | Business Advisory