News

Stay up to date with all things Xero, accounting & bookkeeping advice, and business guides and tips.

Data migrationProject ManagementVacancyJargonGovernmentCouncilsGrantsFundsOffice partiesClient giftsStaff giftsStaff expensesEntertainmentJeannie davisMackyla worsellMarisRunning costsVehicleMotor vehicleLog bookMeet the teamStaffPetrol refundOff roadPetrolFuelExcise TaxAccounts Receivable SpecialistSelf-employedBusinessesSmall-Business Cashflow (Loan) schemeLeave Support SchemeShort-term Absence PaymentResurgence Support PaymentsCovid Protection FrameworkFinancial supportRed lightProtection FrameworkLossesGainsMortgageInterestLegislationResidential rentalRentalResurgence SupportResponse PlanFrameworkCovid-19Audit ShieldAnnual returnsRSPWage subsidyUpdateAR specialistDebtor managementBusiness HeadspaceDebtor DaddyIndustry specialistsICNZB Annual AwardsBookkeeperAnnual ICNZB conferenceBookkeeping Business of the YearBookkeeper of the YearLeaderTeam-buildingTeam workEmployment incomeBeneficiary incomeSuperannuation taxFBTPropertySharesTrustsTax obligationsIndividualsTax rateBusiness assetsDepreciationStarting out minimum wageWagesTraining minimum wageAdult minimum wageConProPlantMachineryEquipmentLeaseBuyTenantsPeriodic tenancyNotice periodsTenancyRentTenancy lawOfferingEmpathyChanges10 StepsBetter BusinessMerry ChristmasPivotTop tipsDiversifyOnline MeetingVideoFace-to-faceAgendaTechOnlineMeetingDowntimeAllocateManage timeListsDelegateScheduleProductivityTime ManagementTimeErrorsIRDSupportXAPMental HealthBusiness performanceEquityReportsStatement of Financial PositionDirect CostsReportP&LProfit & Loss StatementBusiness supportMackylaTrusted advisorBusiness advisorGST ReturnFilingHybrid basisInvoice basisPayments basisTurnoverRegisterGSTCelebrateVisualiseBusiness successSmall stepsSuccessfulBookkeeper in a Small Practice AwardNorthlandBookkeepersAwardsCertified BookkeepersICNZBNorthland BookkeepersGoodsSellingBusiness useOfficeRecordsHome OfficeImportanceTeachingSavingMoneyKidsPayment termsBalance sheetDebtCredit controlFreelancingControlCost managementBudgetPlanOutflowInflowCash flow forecastForecastCash flowInvoicing sytemsDebtor softwarePayment servicesPrompt paymentDebtorsIntegrationTrackingQuotingAccurateProcessesJob CostingGrow your businessReturn on investmentAccountantProfit vs CashFinancingMarginsInvoicingSalesProfitEmployment AgreementsACCDomestic violence leaveMinimum wage increaseERA Act 2018ACC LeviesSkillsIndependentEmployeeContractor vs EmployeeHiringContractorsServicesProductsNeedsCustomersTarget marketMarket researchEligibleExpenditureTax incentiveDevelopmentResearchR&DRecord keepingIncomeCashDeductionsTaxGetting startedContractingGoal-settingFinancesLifestylePerformanceVisionGoalsGrowthLiquidity ratiosLiabilitiesAssetsQuick ratiosProfitability ratiosSolvency ratiosRatiosBusiness healthMyIRPay runInland RevenuePAYEEmployeesPayday filingXero payday filingTax invoiceGetting paidContractorFocusConfidentClientsB2BBusiness to businessAcknowledgementAccountabilityActionAcceptanceAwarenessChangePayrollSoftwareSimplifyStreamlining processesCreativeAccounting tipsBusiness taxesLimited companyFinancialLegalBusiness complianceRegulatory requirementsFoundationsComplianceXero integratedPayment methodsCultureTeamSystemsFlexibilityCommunicationTechnologyRemote WorkEntrepreneurialSuccessValueMentorSmall businessInvestmentSuperannuationRetirementContributionsSelf employedSuperSafe onlineHackersCyber-crimeSecureAnti-virusSecurityInternetCloud platformBookkeepingAccounting systemFinanceCloud accountingCloudBusinessAccounting Income MethodProvisional taxAIMDataTasksSpreadsheetsAccountingAccounting SoftwareXero SoftwareExcelReviewSuppliersPaymentsInvoiceOverheadsExpensesPlanningWork-life balanceClaimCharitable organisationsTax returnTax deductionTax creditCharityDonationsBusiness.govt.nzLaw round upLandlordsEmployersBusiness ownersLaw changesCard paymentsOnline paymentsDirect debit paymentsOnline payment servicesAged debtCashflowXero payment servicesAccounting tools menuBusiness menuAccountants and bookkeepersNavigation MenuXero updateHolidaysClosure datesChristmas breakChristmasMy Two Cents AccountingXero AdvisorMy Two CentsXero NavigationXero
TAGS

Keeping your tax and expenses in check when you are self-employed

Self employed, contracting or freelancing requires you to wear a lot of hats. Relationship-building, keeping track of your time, marketing your skills and actually doing the work. But one of your priorities should also be establishing how you handle your money and setting the groundwork for good habits and good record keeping. I always say "you should start how you mean to go on"!

Understand your deductions

Before you start, it’s essential to understand what expenses you can and can’t claim. This means you’ll keep the right receipts and track the right expenses. Figuring out what’s what can be a little confusing as everyone has a different working set up and what you can claim for can vary between industries and occupations. There are also different rules depending on what you are claiming, such as entertainment expenses, motor vehicle expenses, and home office costs. 

Talk to us about your business expenses from the beginning. This will also help you plan for any bigger work-related purchases that you may need to make as you get started or down the track.

Get a system sorted

You’ll thank yourself later for setting up a good system now. Getting your expenses recorded and your invoices collated means you’ll be able to spend more time doing the important stuff in your business. Admin and bookkeeping can quickly absorb any spare time that you have. But it’s not just about saving time - keeping on top of your cash means you’re more likely to succeed. Do your research and choose a system that will work for you and will grow with your business. Consider choosing a software platform which allows you to record your time spent on projects, it’ll make sending those invoices that much easier!

Stash that cash

When you’re running your own business or working for yourself, it’s important to always keep your tax obligations top of mind. Make sure you have money set aside on a regular basis in a separate account or consider entering into voluntary instalments.

One way to budget and keep on top of your business tax is to pay yourself a wage. Keeping your accounts separate also prevents you from thinking of all your business income as spending cash! 

Remember to also put aside a little extra to cover your holidays and any quiet periods.

Talk to us about setting up a system that takes the headache out of your finances. We can help make the process easier, leaving you to get on with what you do best!