Five top tips for paying 28 August provisional tax
Are you due to pay 28 August provisional tax?
For most business taxpayers, your first instalment of provisional tax for the 2025 tax year is coming up. It’s important to pay what you owe on the due date. Inland Revenue won’t hesitate to charge steep interest and late payment penalties if you don’t.
If you’re a business owner or operator, here are five useful tips to ensure you’re ready to pay the first provisional tax payment for the year on the 28 August due date. For agents, you may also wish to share these tips with your clients to help them prepare.
1. Assess your cashflow
Now’s the time to look at the money coming in and going out of your business.
Cast your eyes over your accounts receivable report to see which customers owe you money. If required, ask them if they can sort their bill earlier. Conversely, see if you can buy more time if you owe suppliers money.
If cashflow is tight or you have a better use for the money, keep reading. There’s an option that lets you pay 28 August provisional tax when it suits you.
2. Be aware of the fish hooks
If you pay less than $60,000, you are what’s known as a safe harbour taxpayer. You won’t be charged interest by Inland Revenue if you pay your provisional tax late. But, you will be charged late payment penalties. You can find out more about safe harbour rules here.
3. Know your methods to calculate 28 August provisional tax
It’s important you are aware of the different methods available to calculate your provisional tax payments. For more information about the provisional tax methods available to you, see our Provisional Tax Guide.
4. Consider using tax pooling
An Inland Revenue-approved tax pooling intermediary such as TMNZ can assist if cashflow is tight. Working with us allows you to pay 28 August provisional tax at a time and in a manner that suits you, without incurring Inland Revenue interest or late payment penalties. You can defer the full payment to a date in the future or pay off what’s due in instalments.
TMNZ will date-stamp tax for you in a special trust account with Inland Revenue on your behalf. You pay TMNZ at the agreed future date or as and when it suits your cashflow, and the tax will be transferred to your account with Inland Revenue, and treated by them as being paid on time.
5. If in doubt, consult a professional
Do you have any questions about 28 August provisional tax? Seek the advice of an accountant or tax advisor. They can determine the best provisional tax calculation for your business and help you manage your payments and cashflow.
If you wish to learn more about the provisional tax payment flexibility TMNZ offers businesses, get in touch.
Get provisional tax peace of mind with TMNZ
The 28 August provisional tax payment date doesn’t need to cause stress. TMNZ offers flexible, IR-approved payment solutions that give you more control over your cashflow—without the risk of late payment penalties or use-of-money interest. Explore our full 28 August payment guide or talk to TMNZ today to find out how we can support your business this tax year.
Information in this article is correct as at 31/7/25. You should consult with your tax advisor concerning all tax matters. Read our Terms and Conditions.
First year of trading and provisional tax
What are a taxpayer’s provisional tax obligations in their first year of trading?
This is a question we receive a lot. In fact, there is certainly a lot of confusion out there.
As most know, their first year of trading is not tax-free. However, when income tax is due and payable depends on a taxpayer’s tax liability (called their residual income tax (RIT)) for the year and if they are a ‘new provisional taxpayer’.
So, with that in mind, we explain below how the provisional tax rules work for new business taxpayers.
First year of trading: RIT is less than $60,000
If a taxpayer’s residual income tax (RIT) is less than $60,000 in their first year of trading, they won’t need to pay provisional tax that year. Instead, tax is payable as a lump sum on their terminal tax date, which for most taxpayers will be 7 February or 7 April of the year after this tax year.
Use of money interest and late payment penalties will be incurred if their tax bill isn’t paid by the due date.
If the RIT is more than $5000 in their first year of trading, they will be a provisional taxpayer for the following year.
First year of trading: RIT is $60,000 or more
Inland Revenue (IR) will charge interest if taxpayers fall into the ‘new provisional taxpayer’ category and you don’t make provisional tax payments.
The new provisional taxpayer criteria are different for individuals and companies/trusts.
An individual qualifies as a new provisional taxpayer if:
- Their RIT for that tax year is $60,000 or more
- Their RIT in each of the four previous tax years was $5000 or less
- They stopped receiving income from employment and started to receive income from a taxable activity during that tax year.
A company or trust qualifies as a new provisional taxpayer if:
- Their RIT for that tax year is $60,000 or more
- They did not receive taxable income from a taxable activity in any of the four previous years
- They started receiving income from a taxable activity during that tax year.
Please take note of the different criteria for individuals and companies/trusts. This catches taxpayers out.
When is the first provisional tax payment due?
Inland Revenue will charge interest (see the current rate here) on the number of provisional tax payments a taxpayer could have made in their first year of business if they meet the new provisional taxpayer criteria.
Of course, that number depends on the date on which their business starts trading.
For someone with a 31 March balance date, refer to the table below:
| If the first year of trading starts… | Then the number of provisional tax instalments payable is… | And the due dates are… |
| Before 29 July | Three | 28 Aug, 15 Jan and 7 May |
| 29 July – 15 Dec | Two | 15 Jan and 7 May |
| 16 December+ | One | 7 May |
These dates will differ if your balance date isn’t 31 March or if you file GST returns on a six-monthly basis.
First provisional tax payment – The basic amount
So, what happens if you meet the new provisional taxpayer criteria in your first year of trading?
Well, put simply, Inland Revenue will divide your tax liability (RIT) for the year by the number of instalments you were liable to pay per the table above.
For instance, say your business starts trading on 1 October and your RIT for the year was $69,000.
IR will charge interest from two provisional tax payment dates: 15 January and 7 May. The amount on which interest will accrue at each due date will be $34,500.
Reducing exposure to Inland Revenue interest
Taxpayers may wish to pay provisional tax in their first year of trading to mitigate their exposure to IR interest if they expect their RIT to be $60,000 or more.
If they are an individual or a partner in a partnership and meet certain criteria, they may also get an early payment discount of 6.3%. This is provided they make voluntary payments before their tax date and haven’t been obligated to pay provisional tax in the current or previous four years.
Reduce IRD Interest with TMNZ
Worried about use of money interest on your first year tax bill?
If you have missed making a provisional tax payment, or wish to delay when you make the provisional tax payment, TMNZ can help. TMNZ can delay the payment of your provisional tax, or help you with any missed payments. The interest cost to you is well below Inland Revenue’s interest rate. Talk with TMNZ to stay on top of your tax obligations without the stress.
This article has been written in general terms only. You should not rely upon this to provide specific information without also obtaining appropriate professional advice after detailed examination of your situation.
Using smart tax solutions to drive growth in the construction industry
The situation
Leighs Construction, a proudly New Zealand-owned and operated company, is renowned for delivering complex, high-calibre construction projects that leave a lasting legacy for local communities. As they continue to grow, managing tax obligations amidst fluctuating project phases proved to be an ongoing challenge.
The challenge
In the construction industry, taxable income can vary significantly depending on the phase of projects. For Rebecca the Group Finance Manager of Leighs Construction, this variability made it difficult to forecast and plan for tax obligations ahead of time. Traditionally, they paid taxes directly to the IRD, but this rigid approach lacked the flexibility needed to align payments with their cashflow.
The solution
Leighs Construction turned to TMNZ for a smarter, more flexible approach to their provisional tax payments. Key benefits included:
- saving money on IRD Use of Money Interest (UOMI)
- ability to time-shift tax payments forward or backward, depending on project performance and cashflow needs, without IRD penalties
- confidence in TMNZ’s trusted and IRD-approved solution for managing their tax obligations
- access to expert tax guidance and support, ensuring peace of mind during tax time.
The results
With TMNZ, Rebecca and the team at Leighs Construction have transformed their tax management process. The company now enjoys:
- cashflow flexibility, allowing them to pay taxes when it best suits their business
- significant savings on UOMI, freeing up working capital for reinvestment
- confidence in their tax compliance, supported by TMNZ’s expertise.
- ability to focus on growth knowing their tax obligations are under control.
Your key takeaway
For businesses in the construction industry, tax flexibility can unlock working capital and reduce financial stress. By partnering with TMNZ, Leighs Construction has gained the tools and support needed to navigate tax obligations with ease, enabling them to focus on building a brighter future for their business and the communities they serve.
For more on how our TMNZ’s solutions can help your business, go here.
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How TMNZ partners with accountants to simplify tax for growing businesses
The situation
Sauvruth Sanjay is the Senior Accountant at Orb360, a small-to-medium-sized chartered accounting firm based in Auckland and Wellington. They specialise in helping SME businesses with compliance, tax advisory, dispute resolution, and franchise consulting. They’ve built a reputation for delivering tailored solutions for their clients’ financial needs, including navigating complex tax obligations.
The challenge
Many of Orb360’s clients struggle with:
- Compliance issues: Filing tax returns on time and avoiding IRD interest and penalties.
- Cashflow pressures: Juggling multiple tax obligations simultaneously (e.g., GST and provisional tax), creating strain on cashflow and preventing reinvestment into their operations.
These challenges are especially significant for SMEs, where resources are stretched, and missing deadlines can have costly consequences.
The solution
Over a decade ago, Orb360 partnered with TMNZ, to provide their clients with flexible, tailored provisional tax solutions. TMNZ offers:
- Flexibility: Clients can pay provisional tax on their terms, aligning payments with their business cashflow cycles, not just IRD’s deadlines.
- Cost savings: No IRD penalties and interest, freeing up funds for other priorities.
- Peace of mind: Integrated systems ensure clients never miss tax deadlines, reducing stress for both clients and accountants.
TMNZ also supports Orb360 during IRD audits and reassessments, providing an additional 90-day payment window to ease financial pressure during tax disputes.
The results
- Improved compliance: Orb360’s clients now consistently meet tax deadlines, avoiding penalties and maintaining good standing with IRD.
- More cashflow flexibility: Businesses can manage large tax bills without sacrificing operational growth, reinvesting funds into their companies.
- Stronger client relationships: The partnership with TMNZ has strengthened Orb360’s reputation as a strategic partner for business growth.
- Operational efficiency for accountants: TMNZ’s dedicated account managers and responsive support team have streamlined workflows for Orb360’s accountants, allowing them to focus on client growth.
Your key takeaway
For small and medium sized businesses, managing tax compliance and cashflow can be overwhelming. By partnering with TMNZ, Orb360 has provided their clients with a strategic financial planning tool, ensuring cashflow flexibility, cost savings, and peace of mind. This collaboration has not only helped clients thrive but also supported Orb360’s growth as a trusted advisor.
For more on how our TMNZ’s solutions can help your business, go here.
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Tax payment flexibility. Too good to be true?
Why smart kiwi businesses are making the switch to TMNZ.
For over 20 years, TMNZ has been helping New Zealand businesses manage their provisional tax more effectively. Yet many SMEs still have questions about how it works and whether it’s right for them.
We sat down with Joe Kettlewell, Customer Growth Manager at TMNZ to address the most common concerns we hear.
Is tax pooling actually legit?
Absolutely. It’s has been part of New Zealand’s tax landscape for more than two decades. All tax pooling intermediaries, including TMNZ, use trust accounts directly linked to the IRD. This means your funds carry crown risk – the lowest risk level possible.
When you deposit funds into a tax pool, it’s essentially the same as paying the IRD directly. The IRD fully supports this provisional tax payment method because it helps businesses stay compliant by ensuring the right amount of tax is paid at the right time.
I’ve always paid the IRD directly – why change now?
There are two main reasons to consider TMNZ’s provisional tax solutions, even if you’ve never had payment issues before:
- Future-proof your business: Cashflow consistency today doesn’t guarantee tomorrow. Whether it’s seasonal dips, unexpected expenses, or market changes, having TMNZ set up means you’re ready to respond quickly if circumstances change.
- Take control of your tax: When you overpay the IRD, they might allocate your surplus to other tax types without consulting you. With TMNZ, your funds remain ringfenced and under your control. Need a refund? You can typically get surplus funds back within a week, rather than waiting months for the IRD to process your request.
My accountant handles everything – do I need to get involved?
The beauty of TMNZ’s provisional tax solutions is the flexibility. If your accountant manages your tax affairs, they can engage with TMNZ on your behalf – in fact, we’re endorsed by major consultancy firms and accountants across New Zealand.
For businesses with in-house tax teams, we provide hands-on support. We’ll review your historic myIR statements, understand your income patterns and seasonality, and recommend solutions that smooth out your provisional tax obligations throughout the year.
Isn’t it just for big corporates?
This is perhaps the biggest misconception. While large enterprises certainly benefit from deferring provisional tax payments for capital expenditure or better returns, the majority of our clients are actually small to medium businesses.
From hairdressers to tradies, any business with income fluctuations finds TMNZ invaluable. You can pay as much or little as you want throughout the year, matching your tax payments to your actual cash flow. Plus, you get an extra 75 days after your terminal tax date to settle your affairs.
What if I’ve never had problems paying provisional tax?
Even businesses with perfect payment histories benefit from TMNZ:
- Better reminders: We proactively remind you of upcoming provisional tax dates – something the IRD doesn’t always do effectively
- Expert support: As New Zealand’s tax pooling originators with 20 years’ experience, we provide guidance the IRD can’t
- Insurance policy: If circumstances change, purchasing tax through TMNZ costs less than IRD penalties and interest
Any other benefits?
Using TMNZ for your provisional tax gives you:
- More time: An additional 75 days to pay after your terminal tax date
- Faster refunds: Surplus tax refunded within a week versus months with the IRD
- Cost savings: Purchase tax at rates lower than IRD penalties and interest
- Flexibility: Handle reassessments across all tax types using pooled funds
There’s virtually no downside to using TMNZ. Your funds sit in an IRD-linked trust account with crown risk protection. You only pay interest if you need to purchase tax – and our rates beat both bank lending and IRD penalty rates.
Start proactively, not reactively
While TMNZ can rescue you from a shortfall discovered late in the year, the smartest approach is proactive planning. By engaging with TMNZ at the start of your tax year, we can:
- review your provisional tax notice
- understand your business’s unique cashflow patterns
- design a payment arrangement that works with your seasonality
- ensure you meet all obligations without straining your working capital.
Getting started is simple
Ready to take control of your provisional tax? Getting started with TMNZ is straightforward:
- Using an accountant? They’ll already know TMNZ and can set everything up with minimal input from you
- Managing tax yourself? Contact us directly and we’ll review your situation and recommend the right solution
Your key takeaway
With 28 August approaching, now’s the perfect time to explore how TMNZ can benefit your business. Don’t wait for cashflow constraints to force your hand – be proactive and give your business the flexibility it deserves.
Ready to pay provisional tax on your terms? Contact our team of tax experts here.
Growing a career and team in Christchurch: Penny Ineson’s leadership story
When Penny Ineson joined TMNZ 10 years ago, she had an ambitious 90-day plan that included starting a Christchurch office. A decade later, that plan has come to life. With a recent promotion to Head of Advisor Relationships – South Island, Penny now leads a team of four, aiming to ‘take the South Island by storm’ in tax payment solutions.
How are you feeling about your new leadership role?
I am so excited! It’s a little nerve-wracking because, while the investment is in the South Island, it’s also an investment in me. But I always feel valued and supported by TMNZ to work hard and do my job well. Throughout my promotions (Business Development Manager, Senior Client Relationship Manager, and Regional Manager), I’ve received ongoing support, great communication and connection with the wider team , and flexible working hours, which have allowed me to manage maternity leave, complete my Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting, and most recently, secure office space in Christchurch.
What’s the best thing about your job?
I love interacting with people; my clients are down-to-earth and genuine. I enjoy helping businesses with tax; it’s rewarding to hear how TMNZ supports them to grow or navigate tough times.
What does it mean to you to be a female leader in accounting?
It’s really special. I love networking with other female leaders in the industry. At TMNZ we have held a number of events where we acknowledge female leaders within the accounting and tax industries. I’ve witnessed more and more women rise in the industry, and now that’s me too, so I’m proud.
What does your promotion signal about TMNZ’s growth and success in the South Island?
From 2015 to 2021, I was the primary person managing accounts in the South Island. In 2022, I gained the support of Isabella Prichard (Customer Growth Manager,Auckland) to reach more clients. We work exceptionally well together and wouldn’t be where we are now without her ambition, enthusiasm, and drive.
While we have done well to spread the word about TMNZ’s provisional tax solutions across the South Island, there are still many people and businesses that don’t know how we can help them. Now, we have Harry Macgregor (Customer Success Manager,) and Lexie Weaver (Customer Success Consultant) on board in Christchurch.
TMNZ’s investment shows the faith they have in us and our ability to take the South Island by storm.
What did you take into account when hiring new team members?
It’s so important for our team to be able to relate to and care about people regardless of whether they’re paying $500 or $5,000,000. Tax can be a stressful topic for people, so we need staff who are compassionate as well as qualified.
Lexie, a science graduate from Victoria University, has empathy in spades and great problem-solving skills, and Harry, a Chartered Accountant, can walk into a room and start a conversation with anyone. It’s exciting to have a combination of knowledge and strong interpersonal skills.
How are you going to be supporting South Island businesses?
I have lots of ideas, but first and foremost, we’re going to be visiting the regions, listening to people’s pain points, and figuring out how we can help solve them.
We’ll be planning more events so we can get to know our clients in a more informal setting.
How do you maintain a good work/life balance?
My non-negotiable is a group fitness gym session in the morning. It’s the only time of day when my mind’s not racing; for 45 minutes, I’m just trying to survive the workout! I have amazing support from family and friends to help me maintain self-care amongst the chaos.
Please describe in three words how you’re feeling about the next 90 days.
Primed. Optimistic. Excited.
How can people get in touch?
I’d love to chat to anyone interested in learning how TMNZ can support their business (or their clients businesses) through our smart tax payment solutions. Please contact us here, and ask to speak with Penny.
From left: Penny Ineson—Head of Advisor Relationships South Island, Harry Macgregor—Customer Success Manager, Lexie Weaver—Customer Success Consultant
Enhancing financial flexibility for a healthcare services provider
The situation
The Finance Manager at a Healthcare Services business in Auckland, began working with TMNZ five years ago when the business experienced unexpected fluctuations in their retail operations. The business was looking for ways to maintain good cashflow while supporting the international group’s financial position.
The challenge
During the 2024-25 fiscal year, the Finance Manager was juggling many financial priorities, such as:
- meeting quarter-end, half-year, and year-end cashflow targets without incurring external debt
- maintaining tax compliance while optimising the balance sheet.
The solution
They chose to leverage TMNZ’s Tax Drawdown solution because:
- TMNZ provided more efficient and easier access to funds compared to other finance channels
- the solution helped optimise the balance sheet position, providing access to short term cash rather than long-term bank loans
- significant administrative costs were saved, including legal fees and bank covenant reporting requirements
- they could maintain their tax deposit date after repaying the drawdown.
The results
By using TMNZ’s services, the Healthcare business achieved:
- enhanced support for the international group’s financial position, contributing positively to the group’s risk profile
- the ability to temporarily access funds, which was highly valued by the international group’s treasury team
- improved cashflow management without incurring more costly third-party debt.
Your key takeaway
TMNZ’s solutions provide flexible and efficient tax management, aligning with business needs and supporting financial stability without the constraints of traditional finance channels.
For more on how our Tax Drawdown solutions can help your business, go here.
Utilising future tax to create working capital in the real estate industry
Working scenario: Bay Vista Real Estate
The situation
Emma runs a real estate agency in Auckland with 12 agents. The business experiences significant income fluctuations, with summer months (December-March) typically generating 60% of annual revenue.
The challenge
During the 2024-25 tax year, Bay Vista faced:
- peak income during the summer months
- large commission payments to agents in December/ January
- lower winter income but consistent overhead costs
- two of their provisional tax payments due during quieter months
- a preference for flexibility to withdraw funds if new opportunities arose.
The solution
Emma chose a TMNZ solution which allowed her to:
- delay payment of provisional tax due in August until a time when the business was earning revenue
- deposit $180,000 during the peak summer months:
- $100,000 in December
- $80,000 in January
- earn interest on deposited funds
- maintain flexibility to withdraw funds for a new investment opportunity
- ask TMNZ to allocate tax to the correct payment dates once the business’s income tax liability is known.
The results
Emma continued her business growth plans, while she also:
- earned interest on deposits in excess of what her bank was offering
- better matched tax payments to income patterns
- reduced her stress during quieter months
- protected her working capital during winter
- simplified the tax planning process
- created a tax savings discipline for the business
- rested easy knowing no IRD interest or penalties had been incurred.
Going forward, the business can use TMNZ annually as part of growth plans and cashflow strategy.
Your key takeaway
By matching peak periods with future planning, you can earn interest and create a facility to fund business growth when opportunities arise.
For more on how our tax solutions can help your business, go here.
*This scenario is a fictional example created to demonstrate how tax management solutions work to meet unique circumstances in a range of industries.
Managing uncertainty in tax and costs in the construction industry
Working scenario: Wilson Construction.
The situation
James operates a commercial construction company in Hamilton with 45 employees. The company experiences significant variations in monthly income based on project completion milestones. If clients pay late, this further stresses cashflow.
The challenge
For the 2024-25 tax year, Wilson Construction faced:
- uncertain provisional tax obligations due to uncertainty on when income will be earned
- a large variation between estimated profit ($1.8M) and actual profit ($2.9M) when a project was delivered ahead of schedule in the 2025 financial year, rather than the 2026 financial year as expected
- cashflow regularly tied up in materials and labour costs
- Inland Revenue’s prescribed instalment dates that were not aligned with project payment schedules.
The solution
James opted to manage their tax payments through TMNZ because:
- TMNZ allowed flexible payment dates throughout the year
- the company could make 20+ smaller payments instead of 3 large instalments
- they made payments after receiving project milestone payments
- there was no need to estimate their annual tax liability upfront
- they could change payment amounts at any time based on actual cashflow.
The company made 24 payments ranging from $15,000 to $45,000. They timed payments to follow major project milestone payments and adjusted payment sizes based on project profitability. The total tax paid was $812,000.
The results
James enjoyed better cashflow management, as well as:
- reduced stress around provisional tax deadlines
- no Use of Money Interest charges or late payment penalties
- maintaining a strong working capital position
- better aligned tax payments with business income patterns
- avoiding drawing on construction bonds or expensive bank facilities.
Your key takeaway
Using TMNZ solutions, and seasonal financial planning, tax obligations can be managed to align with business and project outcomes, not IRD deadlines.
For more on how our tax finance solutions can help your business, go here.
*This scenario is a fictional example created to demonstrate how tax management solutions work to meet unique circumstances in a range of industries.
Reducing the cost of funds for a dairy farm
Working scenario: Henderson Dairy Farm.
The situation
The Henderson family operates a 650-cow dairy farm in Southland. They recently invested in a new milking shed automation system and expanded their herd, creating irregular cash flow patterns during the upgrade period.
The challenge
In the 2024-25 season, they faced:
- $280,000 investment in automation equipment
- an additional $150,000 for herd expansion
- a provisional tax payment of $165,000 due March 2025
- expected lower income for the next few months, picking up in October
- bank facilities already used for farm improvements
- needing to maintain working capital for winter feed.
The solution
The Henderson’s worked with TMNZ to:
- finance the full $165,000 provisional tax payment
- secure 5.6% interest rate (vs IRD’s 10.88%)
- structure repayment to align with improved monthly income
- use TMNZ’s tax finance solution as an alternative funding source.
The results
The Henderson’s saved approximately $4,950 in interest compared to IRD and bank overdraft rates. They also:
- preserved their working capital for winter feed purchases
- maintained a good standing with existing bank
- protected their new automation investment
- avoided selling stock at suboptimal time
- better aligned provisional tax payments with their income cycle.
Your key takeaway
By creating a long-term plan to address variabilities in cashflow, you can plan ahead and secure lower interest on funds to cover costs.
For more on how our tax solutions can help your business, go here.
*This scenario is a fictional example created to demonstrate how tax management solutions work to meet unique circumstances in a range of industries.