REAL Chartered Accountants

23/07/2026

Our team meeting this month opened with Sean's "name the logo" quiz —

15 brands, partly hidden. Angela was the standout with 14 out of 15, and the rest of the team held their own too. 👏

We couldn't resist turning it into a little challenge for you — but with a twist. Instead of the logos, can you name the brands from these very literal clues? 😅

Turns out we know our brands almost as well as we know your balance sheets.

22/07/2026

Is your marketing a cost, or is it an asset? 📊

If it feels like a painful monthly expense, the strategy might need a shift. True marketing isn't about burning budget on flashy things—it’s about investing in visibility that actually drives revenue.

Here is why it matters:
✨ Word-of-mouth has a limit. Even the best businesses need a steady stream of new eyes to grow.
✨ Recognition builds trust. People buy from brands they remember.
✨ It’s measurable. No guesswork required. You track what works and fix what doesn't.

Don't pull back on your visibility just when you need to be seen the most. Building a strong brand is the ultimate business asset. 💼

20/07/2026

🚗 Tax Myth: "I store my company car at home, so my morning commute is a business expense."

According to the IRD, the answer is a firm no. No matter how you track your mileage, your travel between home and work is legally classified as a private expense.

The rules remain clear, even with the IRD’s fresh 2025–2026 vehicle kilometre rates now in play. If you claim using the kilometre rate method, the Tier 1 rates (for the first 14,000 total km) are:
Petrol: $1.20 / km
Diesel: $1.30 / km
Electric: $1.22 / km
Hybrid: $0.90 / km

The Hard Rules on Commuting:
🛑 Where it’s parked doesn’t matter: Even if your vehicle is signed up with company logos and kept in your driveway for security or charging, driving to your permanent office or site is still personal.
🛑 Working from home doesn't change it: Checking emails on the couch before you leave doesn't turn your drive into business travel.

What CAN you claim?
✅ Travel from your office to see a client, visit a site, or pick up stock.
✅ Travel between different job sites during the day.
✅ Travel from home to your first job (and back from your last), but only if your home is objectively your absolute base of operations (like a mobile tradesperson).

If you want to ensure your vehicle logs and claim percentages are 100% compliant with the new rates, please reach out to your client manager directly or send our team an email. We're here to help get it sorted!

17/07/2026

Working an office job means a lot of sitting and screen time. Stepping out at lunch for some fresh air, or to hit a step goal is the perfect way to reset for the afternoon and shake off the morning stiffness.

How do you break up your workday? Are you team "midday walk" or team "just relax"? 👇

Have a great Friday and a wonderful weekend, everyone! 👋✨

14/07/2026

Some accountants retired their thinking years ago — they just forgot to tell their clients. 🦖

Sound familiar? Same copy-paste advice every March. Changing accountants only takes one conversation. We handle the whole handover — you just get financials that actually balance and a team that’s there when you need them.

Time for a REAL upgrade: book your free, no-obligation chat below — no pressure, no jargon, just a proper conversation about your business. 🙌

📍 Find us: 37 Monmouth Street, Tauranga
📞 Call us: 07 571 8081
✉️ Email: [email protected]
🔗 Visit:

Book a review meeting here to discuss your business goals and how we can assist you to achieve growth for your business.

13/07/2026

🥾 Buying Protective Gear? Here's What You Can Claim!

As the weather cools down, plenty of businesses are gearing up their teams with fresh high-vis, wet weather jackets, and safety boots. But before you write off those receipts, remember the IRD has specific rules about what actually counts as "protective clothing" for tax purposes.

To be fully tax-deductible (and exempt from Fringe Benefit Tax), the clothing generally needs to meet these criteria:
✅ Safety-specific: It must be designed to protect against specific workplace hazards—think steel-cap boots, high-visibility vests, safety glasses, or specialized overalls.
✅ Distinctive: Features a prominent company logo or design that makes it clearly a work uniform rather than ordinary everyday wear.

Standard jeans, plain beanies, or generic jackets usually won't qualify—even if your team only wears them on the job.

If you're upgrading your team's gear this season and aren't sure how to code the expenses or managing allowances in your accounts, give us a shout! We'll make sure you're claiming exactly what you're entitled to.

09/07/2026

🌌 Mānawatia a Matariki from the team!

As the Matariki cluster rises, we wish you all a safe, restful, and meaningful long weekend.

May this time bring you closer to whānau, give you space to remember those who came before us, and bring fresh energy for the year ahead. Enjoy the long weekend, stay warm, and share some great kai! ☕👇

Please note our office will be closed on Friday, 10 July, reopening as usual on Monday.

07/07/2026

Clean books = a clear mind. 💻✨

It's easy for administrative tasks to slide when you're busy running a business, but keeping your debtors and creditors up to date is the backbone of healthy cash flow.

Staying on top of who owes you — and who you owe — means fewer surprises, better supplier relationships, and a crystal-clear picture of your financial health. 📊

Our top tip: set aside just 15 minutes today to review your outstanding invoices. Your future self will thank you.

Need a hand streamlining your accounts receivable and payable? Get in touch with the REAL CA team today. 💼

06/07/2026

Tax season is officially here, but it doesn't have to be stressful. 🧘‍♂️

A lot of business owners and investors don't realise that simply partnering with a registered tax agent unlocks an automatic Extension of Time (EOT) with the IRD—moving the filing deadline from 7 July to 31 March next year.

It is important to note, though, that if you have lost your EOT, that 7 July deadline still firmly applies — and if it's not filed on time, you will incur a late filing penalty.

The most common reason for losing your EOT is because prior years' returns weren't filed on time.

If you think you might have lost your EOT status, or if you aren't sure where you stand, reach out to your client manager here to see what we can do about getting it reinstated for you.

02/07/2026

Month-end looks a little like this. 🌊🍱

Nothing clears a room of accountants faster than the phrase "boss’s shout." We hit pause on the calculations today to tackle a mountain of sushi down by the water. 🥢