Levi Chartered Accountants

17/12/2025

Wishing all our clients a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year. It’s been a privilege to serve you throughout 2025, and we hope you enjoy a restful break with friends and loved ones.

Levi Chartered Accountants will be closed from Monday, 22 December and will reopen on Monday, 5 January. If you have any urgent requests during this period, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Ngā mihi nui and warm festive wishes from our team to yours.

19/11/2025

Lifestyle block with a few cattle? Here’s what IRD wants you to know.

September–November is the busiest time of the year for our rural community. Farmers across the region are in the thick of calving and lambing, fencing repairs, pasture work, spraying, and getting their properties ready for the summer dry.

If you have a lifestyle block, like me, chances are you’ve got a few cattle, mainly to keep the grass down or simply because it’s nice having animals around.

You’re not alone. Plenty of lifestyle block owners aren’t operating farms, and that’s where the tax rules can get confusing.
Here’s the simple version:

If you’re not running a genuine farming business, you’re usually not taxable on income from selling stock. Most lifestyle block owners with a small number of cattle and no real intention to make a profit are treated as hobbyists, not businesses.

What this means for you:
• No GST registration required:
If you’re under the $60k annual turnover threshold and it’s clearly a hobby, there’s no need to register for GST.
• Income tax generally doesn’t apply:
Selling calves, cull cows, or the odd extra animal usually doesn’t trigger income tax when there’s no profit motive.
• Expenses aren’t claimable either:
Because the activity isn’t a business, you can’t deduct costs like feed, fencing, vet bills, fertiliser, or home-block maintenance.
• Keep it consistent:
If you start increasing stock numbers, breeding to sell, or developing the land to earn a regular income, IRD may view it as a business, and the tax rules will change.

Every property is different, and the line between “hobby” and “business” can move quickly, especially out here, where lots of families start small and build over time.

If you’re unsure how IRD would view your actions, or if you’re considering scaling up, please get in touch. We’ll help you understand the tax impacts before you make changes.

Message us today for clear, practical tax advice for rural and lifestyle properties.

03/11/2025

Buying a new vehicle for your business?
A common myth is that you can claim the full cost as an expense on your tax return. In reality, a vehicle purchase is capital expenditure, NOT an immediate deduction.

The good news is that, from 22 May 2025, you may be able to claim 20% of the cost of eligible new assets upfront under the Investment Boost, and then depreciate the remaining 80% as usual.

Example:
If you buy a vehicle for $50,000, in the first year, the Investment Boost lets you:
•Deduct $10,000 upfront (20% of cost)
•Depreciate the remaining $40,000 at 30% p.a., diminishing value > $12,000 in the first year

Total First-year deduction: $10,000 + $12,000 = $22,000, or 44% of the total vehicle cost.

This means you pay less tax in that (first) year. Because money saved today is worth more than money saved later, this helps you save more overall.

Quick tips:
•New vehicle = capital expenditure (Investment Boost may apply)
•Repairs & maintenance = usually deductible
•Any business asset over $1,000 = capital expenditure

Note: The Investment Boost applies only to new assets (or those new to New Zealand). Second-hand purchases usually don’t qualify.

Get in touch for a free 15-minute consultation call.

28/10/2025

We will be watching this closely and will let you know what this could mean for you if this is implemented. It's still too early to tell. Plenty of questions, so it will be interesting to see how (and if) this plays out. Watch this space.

Labour has agreed to campaign on a tax covering just some property to help fund a limited number of free GP visits.

06/10/2025

Provisional tax helps you manage your income tax by spreading payments across the year — rather than facing a large lump sum at year-end.

If you have a March balance date and use the ratio option, your next provisional tax payment is due on the 28th of October.

Most provisional taxpayers with a March balance date using the standard or the estimation method, your provisional tax due dates are 28th August, 15th of January and 7th of May.

Staying on top of your obligations not only helps manage cash flow but also avoids unnecessary penalties or interest.

If you’re unsure how your provisional tax is calculated or want to review your payments, get in touch — we’re here to help you plan ahead with confidence.

22/09/2025

We’re deeply thankful to Max and the team for this generous feedback. Supporting organisations like yours is at the heart of what we do, and it means a great deal to know that our work is making a difference.

At Levi Chartered Accountants, we believe accounting isn’t just about numbers; it’s about trust, care, and helping people focus on their mission with confidence. Knowing that our support brings peace of mind to your leadership team is the greatest reward.

Faafetai tele lava, Max, for your kind words and for trusting us with such an important part of your work. See more great feedback on our website. https://levica.co.nz/

15/09/2025

Meet Our Founder – Faamau (Mau) Levi

Mau’s story is one of dedication, family, and community.
After immigrating to New Zealand from Samoa, she worked hard to build her career, earning a Bachelor of Business (Accounting) degree and becoming a Chartered Accountant. In 2005, Mau founded Levi Chartered Accountants with a clear vision: to provide competent, trustworthy, and fairly priced accounting services for individuals, families, charities, and businesses.

Beyond her professional achievements, Mau is a proud wife, mother, and grandmother. Family is at the heart of her life, and that same care and commitment guide the way she works with clients. She understands that behind every business are people, whānau, and communities who thrive when that business succeeds.

As we mark National Family Business Day this Friday, 19 September, we celebrate the vital role family businesses play in our economy and communities. They are the heartbeat of New Zealand; driving innovation, creating jobs, and strengthening connections. FBA NZ

With both expertise and personal warmth, Mau has built a firm that’s more than just accounting—it’s about helping people succeed. Learn more and connect with Mau via our website https://levica.co.nz/

08/09/2025

Our new website is live! We’re excited to share the launch of our refreshed website: levica.co.nz

Designed with you in mind, our new site makes it easier to learn about who we are, the services we offer, and how we can support your business. Clear, simple, and accessible.

A big thank you to the team who helped refresh our new look and feel, and proposition. As you’ll notice, it’s not just about what we do to support you, but why.

“Your success is our priority because when you succeed, you inspire whānau and communities, and together we contribute to a more prosperous New Zealand.”

Take a look around and let us know what you think.