Tax is one of the biggest costs for self-employed NZ tradies. The good news: IRD allows you to deduct a wide range of legitimate business expenses. The bad news: most tradies claim too little, leaving money on the table.
This guide covers every major deduction available to NZ self-employed tradies in 2025–26.
The Golden Rule: Business Purpose
You can claim any expense that is incurred in earning your income. If it's wholly for business, you claim 100%. If it's partly private, you claim only the business portion.
Keep records. IRD can audit up to 4 years back.
Tools and Equipment
Under $1,000 (ex GST) — claim immediately
Any single item costing under $1,000 (ex GST) can be written off in full in the year of purchase. This is the low-value asset threshold introduced in 2021.
This covers most hand tools, drill bits, safety gear, small power tools, work boots, and accessories.
Over $1,000 — depreciate over time
Larger tools and equipment must be depreciated. See the Tool Depreciation Calculator for NZ IRD rates.
Common depreciation rates: - Power tools (drills, grinders, saws): 30% DV - Ladders and scaffolding: 25% DV - Trailers: 13.5% DV - Computers and tablets: 48% DV
Vehicle Expenses
Your work vehicle is likely your biggest deductible expense.
If it's your only vehicle (mixed private/business use)
Keep a logbook for 90 days to establish your business-use percentage. Claim that percentage of all actual costs: fuel, insurance, registration, WOF, servicing, tyres, and depreciation (20% DV for most vehicles).
Alternatively, use the IRD kilometre rates — see the Vehicle Mileage Calculator.
If it's a dedicated work vehicle
If the vehicle is used entirely for business (stored at your yard, not taken home), you can claim 100% of running costs. In practice, most vehicles have some private use.
Vehicle purchase
You cannot deduct the purchase price outright. Claim depreciation (20% DV for cars/utes, higher for commercial vehicles).
Clothing and Protective Equipment
- Work boots, overalls, hi-vis: 100% claimable
- Regular clothes (even if worn for work): NOT claimable
- Branded clothing with your business logo: 100% claimable
Phone and Internet
If you use your mobile for business, estimate the business-use percentage. 70–80% business use is common for most tradies.
Keep records (bills, call logs, etc.) to support your claim.
Home Office
If you do quoting, admin, or planning from home, you can claim home office expenses proportional to the space used.
Claim: power, internet, rates, insurance, mortgage interest or rent (proportion of home used for business).
Typically calculated as: (home office m²) ÷ (total home m²) × annual costs.
Training and Education
Training directly related to your trade is deductible: - Trade courses and refreshers - Health and safety training - Software training (Xero, Fergus, etc.) - Industry conference attendance
General education that qualifies you for a new career is NOT deductible.
ACC Levies
Both the earners' levy and work levy you pay to ACC are tax deductible. Your accountant should ensure these are claimed.
KiwiSaver
As a self-employed person, KiwiSaver contributions are voluntary. You can contribute what you like, but unlike employees, there's no employer contribution.
If you do contribute, you get the government contribution of up to $521.43/year (if you contribute at least $1,042.86).
Accounting and Software Fees
- Accountant fees: 100% deductible
- Bookkeeping fees: 100%
- Xero, MYOB, Tradify, Fergus subscriptions: 100%
- Tax agent fees: 100%
Insurance
Business insurance premiums are fully deductible: - Public liability insurance - Professional indemnity - Tools and equipment insurance - Income protection (business-related portion)
Interest on Business Loans
If you borrowed money for your business (tools, equipment, vehicle), the interest is deductible. The principal repayment is not.
Key Tax Dates for NZ Self-Employed Tradies
| Date | What's due |
|---|---|
| 7 Feb | GST return (Dec period) |
| 7 Apr | Provisional tax (1st instalment) |
| 28 Jun | Income tax return (extension with tax agent) |
| 7 Aug | Provisional tax (2nd instalment) |
| 28 Nov | Deadline for unfiled returns |
| 15 Jan | Provisional tax (3rd instalment) |
Using a Tax Agent
A registered tax agent extends your filing deadline significantly. Most NZ tradie accountants charge $600–$1,500/year for self-employed tax returns. Given the deductions they find, this usually pays for itself many times over.
Record Keeping Requirements
Keep all receipts and invoices for 7 years. IRD allows digital copies — photograph your receipts and store them in Xero or a cloud service.
Use the NZ GST Calculator to quickly check your GST position.
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