July 2013 E Newsletter

Welcome

Welcome to the August edition of Focus. Is it too early to herald the arrival of Spring? Not according to the lovely weather we’re having! It’s a perfect time to get outdoors and enjoy some of the attractions around the country.

Big Little City

Auckland Council News and Events

Whats on in Hamilton

Papers around Auckland continue to highlight some of the scams going on. One that we are regularly questioned on is an e-mail from the “IRD”. The latest one is a fax. Please read the article from the New Zealand Herald and be very cautious if you are the recipient of a request for any kind of confidential information.

Scammers are posing as the IRD, again....

Please read the attached article from the New Zealand Herald in regard to fake faxes from the Inland Revenue Department.

IRD issues warning

Do you own a short term rental property, boat or plane in a close company?

And is that asset subject to the new Mixed Use Asset rules? i.e. where it is used partly to derive income and partly for private use.

If so then it may be prudent to transfer the mixed-use asset out of the company before the end of the 2013/2014 tax year. For most companies this will be 31 March 2014. Please contact us to discuss this further if you think this will apply to you.

A bit late with your payment?

If you missed payments on end-of-year income tax, Working for Families Tax Credits or your student loan bill for the 2012 tax year and you can’t make the payment in full, you may qualify to make payments by instalments.
The original cutoff date was 7 February (or 7 April if you had an extension.)
Be aware use of money interest will still apply for the payment duration, together with any late payment penalties already imposed.
If you want to know if you qualify for this arrangement, call us and we can request this for you.

‘Mondayisation’ Ahead

Next time Waitangi Day or Anzac Day falls on a weekend, New Zealanders will get the Monday off work. The Labour Party bill to ‘Mondayise” these two public holidays has passed in Parliament and will come into force on 1 January 2014, although the first time one of these holidays falls on a weekend is not until 2015.

Encouraging employers to employ youth

The government has introduced a new initiative aimed at encouraging employers to recruit young New Zealanders, especially those who have been on a benefit. It allows the lower minimum wage rate - 80% of the adult minimum - to apply to a wider range of people. The new scheme came into effect on 1 May 2013.

The ‘starting-out’ minimum wage can be paid to certain categories of youth aged 16-19 years. Currently, the categories are:

16 and 17 year olds in their first 6 months of paid employment with their current employer
18 and 19 year olds who have received a benefit for 6 months or more and have not completed 6 months’ work with any employer since starting on that benefit
16 - 19 year olds involved in a recognised industry training course of at least 40 credits per year

The starting-out wage replaces the new entrant minimum wage and the trainee minimum wage for under 20s. (There is still a trainee rate for those who are 20 years or older.)

Client Profile - The Lauren + Delwyn Project

Hello! We are The Lauren + Delwyn Project – Professional Photography, Honestly. We offer corporate, wedding and family photography.

We have worked with top NZ companies, including Frucor, Wendell Property and Suits on Broadway to create corporate photography that emphasizes their companies’ brand and personality, whilst getting the job done efficiently.

We create stunning family and baby portraits, for families to treasure and enjoy on their walls, and pass down through the generations.

We are well known for our candid yet timeless wedding photography, telling the story of the day, whilst capturing the joy, tears and emotion.

We are 100% New Zealand made, and strongly believe in supporting other local companies (including Queensberry and My Canvas), as well as providing top quality customer service.

We love working with Walker Wayland, and have enjoyed watching our business grow with Kirits’ help.

The Lauren + Delwyn Project would like to gift the clients of Walker Wayland, a complimentary portrait sitting, or 10% off their next professional corporate shoot. Just send us an email to info@laurenanddelwyn.co.nz with Walker Wayland in the subject line, or call and mention Walker Wayland when you book.