Compliance isn’t exactly the fun part of running a business, but ignoring it can cost you big time.
We’ve seen perfectly good NZ businesses get stung by fines, late payments, or IRD audits simply because they didn’t know what was due, or when.
Let’s run through the most common traps, and how to stay ahead of them.
- Missing key filing dates
GST returns, PAYE, provisional tax,,they all have different due dates.
Miss one and you’ll be hit with interest or penalties. Keep a compliance calendar or use accounting software to send you reminders.
- Poor record-keeping
Invoices, receipts, mileage logs, and staff records, if they’re scattered across emails and gloveboxes, you’re asking for trouble.
Store everything in one digital spot and back it up.
- Underestimating ACC or tax obligations
We see this all the time. You get a surprise ACC bill or provisional tax top-up and it crushes your cashflow.
Plan for these early. Spread them out through your forecast so they don’t bite you later.
- Employment compliance slip-ups
Holiday pay, contracts, and health & safety, these aren’t optional.
The laws keep changing, and “not knowing” won’t save you in a dispute.
- Not keeping up with new rules
From privacy laws to environmental reporting, compliance keeps expanding. Having an advisor who stays on top of the changes saves you hours of stress.
At TBA, we run simple compliance reviews that keep you out of trouble.
We’ll look at your current systems, identify the risks, and set up reminders so nothing slips through the cracks.
👉 Grab our free NZ SME Compliance Calendar — all the key tax and filing dates for 2025 in one easy download.
