19 Jun 2025
AI data-crunching supercharges Inland Revenue’s tax net
Instances that commonly went under-the-radar are now easy pickings for Inland Revenue.
Australia services team
Many Australian businesses are interested in expanding their operations into New Zealand. Whether you want to establish a new retail branch, a service centre or any other type of business you will be faced with a range of tax and other issues. It's best to have a local advisor who can help you get set up and operating effectively.
Services for Australian tax agents
It is common for tax agents and service providers in Australia to have clients who are looking to expand into New Zealand or who have existing operations in New Zealand. It can be challenging to meet the needs of these clients if you do not have an office or representation in this country.
Baker Tilly Staples Rodway offers access to specialist expertise, without the concern of referring your valuable client on to another accounting firm. We provide your clients with the additional advice and assistance they are looking for, while preserving and reinforcing your existing relationship.
Benefits of engaging with Baker Tilly Staples Rodway
- Skilled advisors experienced in helping Australian business expand into New Zealand and stay compliant.
- No charge if the time to respond to the query takes 10 minutes or less.
- Should the query require more than 10 minutes to respond, we will provide an estimate of the costs of approval and authorisation before proceeding with the engagement.
- Happy to work “behind the scenes” so you maintain the relationship with your client.
- Regular periodic news letters, technical updates and seminars, discussion groups and forum.
How does it work?
Email BusinessNZ@bakertillysr.nz with the assistance you require and we will contact you to discuss how best we can assist.
Our services
Setting up
- Registering your company, branch or other entity
- Liaising with your preferred bank to open a bank account
- Obtaining Inland Revenue (IRD) numbers and getting registered for the right tax types
- Registration with Customs if you are an importer
- Setting up correctly with ACC
Structuring & tax matters
Our tax specialists have the knowledge and experience to provide you with practical, tailored solutions. We are familiar with structures that provide the best tax and operational outcomes for Australian business coming to New Zealand.
You will need to consider income taxes, GST, withholding taxes, customs procedures, non-resident withholding taxes, PAYE, non-resident and contractors taxes. We can help with all those and more.
If you are only going to be operating here for a short period, there can be issues you may not expect – we can let you know what they are, so you won't be taken by surprise.
Audit
Your subsidiary or branch may require a financial audit. We are licensed auditors who use a risk-based methodology to prepare effective and competitive audits.
If you are in the finance industry we can assist with advice and support to comply with Financial Markets Authority (FMA) regulations.
We can also assist with internal audits and fraud identification and prevention.
Business advice
- Assistance and preparation of annual accounts.
- Preparation and filing of income tax returns, including being on our Tax Agency list.
- Assistance with preparation and filing of GST returns.
- Preparation of monthly payroll returns and advising you of amounts payable to Inland Revenue and employees.
- Acting as the registered office and filing annual returns.
Human Resources
- Translating your employment agreements for New Zealand.
- HR compliance.
- Recruitment and selection.
- Disputes and disciplinary procedures.
- Internal HR management.
- Providing access to seminars and training sessions, as well as bespoke training as needed.
Transaction assistance
- Financial, tax and HR due diligence services.
- Structuring advice for new trans-Tasman acquisitions.
- We have close links with a business broker and can provide links into opportunities across many industries.
At Baker Tilly Staples Rodway we offer a customisable service with the flexibility to fit in with your internal resources and help out with set-up and ongoing work in a way that works best for you.
We have outlined here the usual services that we provide support for, and we are happy to roll our sleeves up to help in any new ways that may be specific to you. We also have an extensive network of connections and can put you in touch with the right people in other fields.
We have a close relationship with Pitcher Partners, the leading accounting firm for the mid-market in Australia, and with Baker Tilly's global operations in many countries across the globe. While we work closely with Pitchers, we have good relationships with other Australian accounting firms and have assisted many of their clients to set up in New Zealand.
Choose your location for better results
Make an Enquiry
Find an Australia services team specialist
Our Baker Tilly Staples Rodway specialists provide expert advice to clients looking to expand their Australian business into New Zealand.
Other services
News articles
16 Jun 2025
Business downtime brings opportunities for reflection and growth
In the fast-paced world of business, busy periods often leave little time to step back and evaluate how things are running. But when things slow down, instead of seeing it as a lull, think of it as a unique opportunity.
10 Jun 2025
Net Working Capital Adjustments: Key factors for M&A success
If you are looking to sell or acquire a business, it is natural to focus on the headline price. However, in many transactions the purchase price is adjusted through a working capital adjustment, which may have a significant impact on the final transaction price.
03 Jun 2025
Protecting your business: Why expertise matters in workplace investigations
Are you an employer dealing with a serious incident or ongoing situation involving a critical breakdown of processes or relationships?
28 May 2025
To audit or not to audit: That is the question for registered charities
Every registered charity in New Zealand faces the question of whether they ought to be audited. Let’s look at the determining factors…
23 May 2025
News for employers: Wage theft is now a crime in New Zealand
New Zealand employers who intentionally withhold pay from employees could now face hefty penalties: Imprisonment for up to a year and a fine of up to $30,000.
22 May 2025
Budget 2025: Investment Boost is welcome news for Kiwi businesses
Minister of Finance, Nicola Willis, presented her second budget this afternoon.
20 May 2025
Hungry businesses will be looking for more than belt-tightening in Budget
Businesses like right-leaning governments. It’s no surprise that approval for the Government’s economic management has shot up since before the last election, when leaders’ approval ratings had plummeted almost to single figures in our Baker Tilly Staples Rodway polling.
16 May 2025
Tax Freedom Day 2025: Burden higher despite tax and spending cuts
A limp economy has brought little relief to New Zealanders despite a shift in tax brackets, according to this year’s Tax Freedom Day calculations. Kiwis are set to spend 135 days paying tax this year, a day more than in 2024.
15 May 2025
Pre-budget survey 2025: Businesses want action on tax, and more innovation
Our 2025 pre-budget survey has revealed a mixed business scorecard on the Government’s performance. Business optimism ahead of this year’s Budget is markedly better than it was pre-election, but the overall report is "could do better".
09 May 2025
Tax Talk: Proposal could lead to breaking point for small clubs and societies
Inland Revenue has released an exposure draft on not-for-profit (NFP) transactions – including a proposal that threatens the existence of some small clubs and societies across New Zealand…
24 Apr 2025
Presenteeism: When workers are present but not wholly functioning
What happens when you have an employee who is physically “on the job”, but is unwell or emotionally or mentally preoccupied?