This tool is to help you collect all the information that we need so that we can efficiently prepare your Financial Statements and/or Tax Returns.
You don't need to send us anything we already have access to, such as bank statements if bank feeds are set up in Xero, or income where tax is deducted at source and paid directly to Inland Revenue, like PAYE wages or bank interest.
Please provide the information for your accounting period, which is typically 1 April to 31 March. Don't stress if you miss something. We'll work with what you give us and let you know if there's anything else we need to get the job done.
Once you've gathered your documents, please attach them to an email, send to [email protected] and let us know if there are any time constraints we need to be aware of, for example, you're buying a house and the bank needs them to make a lending decision.
Annual Documents Checklist
Tick each item as Done once you've gathered it, or mark it N/A if it doesn't apply to you. Use the master checkboxes at the top of each section to mark all items at once.
Click Skip to next section to mark all unticked boxes in that section as N/A and jump ahead to the next section.
Which sections apply to you?
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Business Income
Only provide documents that we don't have access to (e.g. via Xero).
Done
N/A
Bank account, credit card, and loan statements.
Cash on hand, petty cash & till float figures.
Details of any transactions that did not go through the business bank account, e.g. asset purchased via loan, or business expenses paid privately.
Accounts receivable: list of money owed to you at balance date (incl. GST).
Bad debts: please highlight any bad debts in your accounts receivable list that you are no longer chasing.
Accounts payable: list of money owed by you at balance date (incl. GST).
GST workings if GST registered.
Stock on hand: value of inventory at balance date. It should be the lower of cost and net realisable value (excl. GST).
Work in progress: value of work in progress at balance date. This is work completed in the financial year but not invoiced until after balance date (excl. GST).
Annual leave & holiday pay owing at balance date.
Entertainment: descriptions of any food and drink purchases that are not subject to the entertainment adjustment.
Invoices for any capital assets purchased over $1,000 (excl. GST if GST registered; incl. GST if not GST registered).
Personal motor vehicle used in the business: logbook records or total business km driven in a personal vehicle during the tax year.
Home office area: area of the home office and storage spaces used for the business (e.g. garage), and the total area of the home and garage.
Home office expenses: rent, loan interest, rates, power, gas, house & contents insurance, phone & internet, office consumables, repairs & maintenance, and home office assets.
One-off documents: change in shareholding, sale or purchase of business, etc.
Private use: provide details of any goods taken for your own private use.
Legal fees over $10k: please provide legal invoices if your legal fees total $10k or more for the year.
Insurance contract over $12k: please provide insurance premium details if you have an insurance contract with premiums exceeding $12k excluding GST.
Financial Asset Investments
Only provide documents that we don't have access to (e.g. via myIR for NZ dividends where you've advised your IRD number).
Done
N/A
NZ fixed interest & dividend certificates for investments where your IRD number is not recorded with the provider.
Details of sale and purchase of fixed interest assets disposed of before the maturity date.
PIE tax certificates (Portfolio Investment Entity).
Overseas income not subject to FIF rules: details of holdings, transactions, income earned, and overseas tax paid.
Overseas income subject to FIF rules: details of holdings, transactions, income earned, and overseas tax paid (ideally from a tax report produced by your provider).
Crypto: transaction history of buying & selling during the year.
Crypto: transaction history from mining.
Precious metals: transaction history of buying & selling during the year.
Residential Property Rental
Only provide documents that we don't have access to (e.g. via Xero).
Done
N/A
Lawyer's settlement statements for any properties bought or sold in the tax year (the 2-page document with the financial breakdown, sometimes split into two documents).
Bright-line: date property was acquired (if sold within the bright-line period).
Rental income: property manager annual statement, or bank statements showing rental income for the tax year.
Rental expenses: rates, insurance, repairs & maintenance, and capital expenditure (over $1k incl. GST) details.
Loan statements showing interest paid for the year.
Chattels valuation report.
Legal fees over $10k: please provide legal invoices if your legal fees total $10k or more for the year.
Insurance contract over $12k: please provide insurance premium details if you have an insurance contract with premiums exceeding $12k excluding GST.
Commercial Property Rental
Only provide documents that we don't have access to (e.g. via Xero).
Done
N/A
Lawyer's settlement statements for any properties bought or sold in the tax year (the 2-page document with the financial breakdown, sometimes split into two documents).
Income details.
Expenses: rates, insurance, repairs & maintenance, and capital expenditure (over $1k excl. GST if GST registered; over $1k incl. GST if not GST registered).
Loan statements showing interest paid for the year.
GST workings if GST registered.
Legal fees over $10k: please provide legal invoices if your legal fees total $10k or more for the year.
Insurance contract over $12k: please provide insurance premium details if you have an insurance contract with premiums exceeding $12k excluding GST.
Personal & Family Information
End
Only provide documents that we don't have access to.
Done
N/A
Donation certificates, including schools.
Income protection insurance: details of premiums paid during the year.
Overseas income: details of foreign pensions and overseas tax paid.
Date of births of all trust beneficiaries, trustees, and settlors.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I send my documents to Step Ahead Accounting?
We recommend gathering and sending your documents as soon as possible after your balance date (31 March for most clients). Early submission helps us turn around your work faster, and gives you more recent information to inform your decision making.
What if I can't find all the documents on the checklist?
Don't stress. If you've misplaced an essential document, and you can't get a replacement copy by contacting the issuer, then send us what you do have.
How do I send my documents securely?
You can email documents directly to [email protected]. If you have a large number of files, we recommend compressing them into a single folder or using a file-sharing service such as Google Drive or Dropbox and sharing the link with us.
Do I need to send documents you already have in Xero or MYOB?
No. If your bank feeds are connected in Xero or MYOB, or you've uploaded invoices and receipts to transactions, then you don't need to resend (but please still tell us that you've uploaded them!). Similarly, if we already have access to relevant records through your accounting software or myIR, there's no need to re-send them. The checklist is designed to highlight only what we're likely to need from you directly.
Does Step Ahead Accounting work with clients outside of Dunedin?
Yes. While we're based in Dunedin, we work with clients across New Zealand. We offer video call consultations and manage all compliance work remotely, so your location is no barrier to working with us.
How long does it take to prepare my financial statements and tax return?
Turnaround time depends on the complexity of your affairs and how complete your records are when submitted. Once we have everything we need, we'll keep you updated on progress. We typically work in a first in first out manner, so the earlier you submit your documents, the faster your turnaround.
How long do I need to keep my financial records in case of an Inland Revenue audit?
IRD has specific requirements around which documents you need to keep and for how long. For a full breakdown, please visit the IRD website.