The end of the tax year is on 31 March 2018. Here are a number of ways you can straighten things up in advance:
Think about. …Deductions
Bad Debts
Write bad debts off in your debtor ledger before balance date so you can claim a deduction. Make sure your records show you have taken reasonable steps to recover the debt prior to write-off. Note the details so we can check the GST adjustments.
Employee Expenses
You can claim deductions for holiday pay, bonuses, redundancy payments, long service leave etc., if you commit to them before year end and pay them within 63 days of balance date. Check holiday pay has been calculated correctly.
Expenses
Can you pre-pay expenses such as stationery, postage and courier charges before 31 March? You may be able to claim for them. Check with us. There are limits to how far some prepaid expenses are claimable, such as on rent, insurance, plant and equipment maintenance contracts, travel and accommodation.
Fixed Assets
Are you still using all of them? Can some be written off?
Repairs/Maintenance
Complete planned maintenance or repairs before year end for a tax deduction. Ask us if you aren’t sure whether the expenditure is classified as repairs and maintenance (which would be deductible) or as a capital expense (which wouldn’t).
Stocktake
Dispose of obsolete stock by year end or write it down to its net realisable value (the lesser of cost or market value). If your stock is worth less than $10,000 and turnover for the year less than $1.3m, you won’t need to include your stock movement for tax purposes.
Vehicles
Don’t forget to note your odometer reading at year end. If you keep logbooks noting business and personal use, mileage and costs, ensure these are all in order.
Think about.…Income
Credit Notes
Look for credit notes issued to customers after balance date but related to sales made prior to balance date. Note these so you can reduce your taxable income for the current year.
Increased Income
Is this year’s income a lot higher than last year’s? If so let us know. It might be a good idea to consider making a voluntary provisional tax payment.
Losses
Did your group of companies have losses in 2017? Groups of companies may offset profits and losses against each other if you make loss offset elections and subvention payments by 31 March. We can help you with this.
Retentions
Check contracts for the terms on retentions owing. Have you invoiced retentions but they are not payable until work is complete in a subsequent tax year? They won’t count as assessable income for this year. However, If they are payable this year they are assessable income. Note retentions you have invoiced which are not receivable until the next tax year.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding your end of tax year preparation then don’t hesitate to contact us – we are here to help.