Business guides · New Zealand
Business guides for self-employed contractors in New Zealand.
For sole traders and contractors: Inland Revenue (IRD) and the IR3, GST, business expenses and kilometre rates, and the records you need to keep.
- self-employed
- contractor
- sole trader
- IRD
- IR3
- GST
- kilometre rates
Start here.
The guides most people working for themselves in New Zealand need first.
- Contractor vs Employee in NZ: The Tests and What Changes
- GST Calculator NZ: How to Add, Remove and Work Out 15% GST
- GST Due Dates NZ 2026–27: Monthly, Two-Monthly and Six-Monthly
- GST Number NZ: What It Is, the Format and How to Check One
- GST NZ: What GST Is, the 15% Rate and Who Has to Charge It
- IRD Depreciation Rates: Rate Finder, DV vs SL and Low-Value Assets
Guides by topic.
Written for New Zealand first. Guides marked any market apply wherever you work.
Start your business
Registration, licences, insurance and the first-week list — the rules that apply where you work.
- Register as a Sole Trader: How to Become Self-Employed in New ZealandNZ
- GST Registration NZ: The $60,000 Threshold and How to RegisterNZ
Price & quote work
Building a number from your own costs, and putting it in front of the customer.
- How Much Should I Charge to Paint a Bedroom?any market
- How Much to Charge for Junk Removal: Per Load, Per Ton, Per Hourany market
- How Much to Charge for Pest Control: Initial vs. Recurringany market
Jobs & customers
When the job changes, the estimate was too low, or the customer needs a conversation.
- Appliance Repair Estimate Came In Too Low: What to Do Nextany market
- Concrete Estimate Came In Too Low: Yards, Base, and Finishany market
- Drywall Estimate Came In Too Low: Level, Area, Change Orderany market
Invoices & getting paid
What goes on the invoice, deposits, payment terms, and what to do when it is late.
- Proforma Invoice: What It Is and When to Use One in NZNZ
- What Is an Invoice? Invoice vs Receipt vs Tax Invoice in NZNZ
- Choosing an Invoice App in NZ: A Checklist for Sole TradersNZ
- How to Invoice as a Contractor in NZ: Tax Invoice RequirementsNZ
- Appliance Repair Invoice Example: Every Line Explainedany market
- Auto Detailing Customer Won't Pay: Keys, Cards, Chargebacksany market
- Can a Drywall Contractor Charge a Deposit? How and How Muchany market
Receipts & expenses
What you can deduct, what to keep, and how to keep it so it survives an audit.
- Claiming GST on Business Expenses in NZ: What You Can and Can't ClaimNZ
- IRD Home Office Rate: Claiming Home Office Expenses in NZNZ
- Tax Deductions NZ: Self-Employed Expenses You Can Claim (List)NZ
- How to Approve Scanned Receipts Without Guessworkany market
- Receipt Retention Guide for Solo Businessesany market
- Receipt Scanner for Freelancers That Stays Privateany market
Mileage
The rate, the log and what counts as business driving.
All mileage guides →Taxes & deductions
What you owe, when it is due, sales tax on your work, and the return itself.
- Contractor vs Employee in NZ: The Tests and What ChangesNZ
- GST Calculator NZ: How to Add, Remove and Work Out 15% GSTNZ
- GST Due Dates NZ 2026–27: Monthly, Two-Monthly and Six-MonthlyNZ
- GST Number NZ: What It Is, the Format and How to Check OneNZ
- GST NZ: What GST Is, the 15% Rate and Who Has to Charge ItNZ
- IRD Depreciation Rates: Rate Finder, DV vs SL and Low-Value AssetsNZ
- How to Manage Irregular Income Without Guessingany market
Records & bookkeeping
How long to keep records, separating money, and handing the year to your accountant.
All records & bookkeeping guides →Tools & templates
Estimate and invoice templates by trade, with a free maker that runs in your browser.
- Invoice Template NZ: GST and Non-GST Layouts with ExamplesNZ
- Appliance Repair Invoice Template: Parts, Labor, Warrantyany market
- Auto Detailing Invoice Template: Size Class, Package, Conditionany market
- Concrete Estimate Template (Free) + Filled Example: Yards and Finishany market
Compare business apps
Where the alternatives fit, where they do not, and what you give up when you link a bank.
- Does Venmo Use Plaid? Yes: How It Links Your Bank and How to Skip Itany market
- Keel vs Expensify: Expense Reports or a Solo Ledger?any market
- Keel vs FreshBooks: Subscription Books or One-Time App?any market
Free tools.
The invoice and estimate maker works in any currency. The tax and mileage calculators use US figures.
From reading about it to doing it.
Keel keeps your invoices, receipts, expenses and trips on your iPhone. Freeboard’s tax reserve and the built-in mileage rate use US figures today; invoices, receipts, expenses and trip logging work as-is in New Zealand. Keel is free to use, with no invoice limit. Keel Lifetime, a one-time $249.99, adds your branding and signature, premium templates and accountant-ready exports. No subscription.