Looking for accountant -- Living in NZ, employed for U.S. company

[newlykiwied]

So I moved here recently from the U.S., and am still employed by the company I worked for in the U.S. (working over the internet). It is my understanding that I need to pay New Zealand taxes, and that I get a credit on those paid taxes in the U.S., so I generally won't end up paying much in the U.S. I also have rental income in the U.S. though, and I would like to speak to someone knowledgeable in New Zealand tax law, so I can make sure I am paying everything I'm legally required to (but no more!).

Does anyone know of any good tax lawyers / accountants in New Zealand (Wellington area would be ideal).

Thanks much

[JandM]

Hello and welcome.

[PonyGirl]

I'm quite curious about this as well as my hubby is considering contract IT work for a company in the US. He works full-time here in NZ as well.

[rupicola]

Do you know you can get an appointment (for free) at the IRD?
http://www.ird.govt.nz/contact-us/ap...nts-btios.html

Seriously, I know lots of people think taxes are some kind of rocket science, but it is NOT. I would advise you to go and talk to the IRD yourself, see if you can manage to fill all necessary forms, and if not, go and see someone who charges money for his/her services.

[redsheesha]

Are you paying quarterly freelance taxes or are you still employed full-time by that one employer? I'm going to be in that situation as well only only a freelance basis, hence the quarterly taxes. Hopefully the IRD helps out with quarterly freelance tax advice. As if doing taxes once a year weren't bad enough!!!

[newlykiwied]

Do you know you can get an appointment (for free) at the IRD?
http://www.ird.govt.nz/contact-us/ap...nts-btios.html

Seriously, I know lots of people think taxes are some kind of rocket science, but it is NOT. I would advise you to go and talk to the IRD yourself, see if you can manage to fill all necessary forms, and if not, go and see someone who charges money for his/her services.

This looks like it is free for businesses, but I'm not a business myself. I'll give it a shot, see if they'll meet with me for free anyway. To answer another poster's question, I am employed full-time by the company in the U.S. I also want to find out about things like my retirement plan in the U.S. -- In the U.S., contributions are pre-tax -- I'm wondering if contributions to my U.S. plan are pre-tax here also (along with a number of other slightly uncommon situations that may affect my taxes here -- the office in my house -- can I deduct a portion of my rent because of that? etc. etc.) Really need to find a specialist I think, although I am looking at the IR3 form myself also -- that's the right form, isn't it?

[IanW99]

...
Really need to find a specialist I think, although I am looking at the IR3 form myself also -- that's the right form, isn't it?

Yes the IR3 form is the correct one to fill in.

If you do want to try and go it alone and want to talk to IRD then they hold local 'clinics' where you can book an appointment and go and talk to someone directly, they will be able to discuss the details with you and answer your questions.

As your case is a little unusual, you may want to go with an accountant the first year and then take over and do it yourself from then onwards.

There have been plenty of accountants recommended on the forum already, would suggest a search to find one suitabe for you.

Ian

[newlykiwied]

Thanks much Ian -- I had looked around a bit on the forums, but I hadn't looked hard enough -- after you mentioned that I searched / browsed for 10 minutes or so, and found a couple possibilities that I'm following up on.

Cheers

[JandM]

Thanks much Ian -- I had looked around a bit on the forums, but I hadn't looked hard enough -- after you mentioned that I searched / browsed for 10 minutes or so, and found a couple possibilities that I'm following up on.

Cheers

If you ever have trouble finding anything on the forum, I can recommend using Google advanced search - I find it a more sensitive tool than the site's own search facility.

[newlykiwied]

nice, good to know -- gotta love google