The short version
- You can switch at any time of year
- Your records belong to you, and accountants routinely hand them over
- RAKS contacts your previous accountant and links with IRD as your tax agent
- With a tax agent your return is due 31 March and terminal tax 7 April, instead of 7 July and 7 February
Step 1: tell us about your business
Book a call or use the quote builder. We ask what you need, who your current accountant is and which software you use, then email a fixed quote within one business day.
Step 2: sign on your phone
When you are happy with the quote, you sign our engagement letter electronically and we verify your identity, which the anti-money-laundering rules require for some services. That is the ten minutes.
Step 3: we write to your old accountant
We send a professional clearance request and ask for your records: last year’s accounts and returns, the fixed asset schedule, the tax summary and any work in progress. Your records belong to you, and handing them over is routine. You do not have to call them, though a short email of thanks is a nice touch, and settling any outstanding fees avoids delays.
Step 4: IRD linking
We link to your IRD accounts as your tax agent. IRD may ask you to confirm the change in myIR. From then on we see your account, deal with IRD letters for you, and your return and terminal tax due dates move to the later tax agent dates.
Step 5: set-up
We set up your tax dates and reminders, connect to your Xero or MYOB file, give you access to the client portal and tell you what is coming up and when.
Common questions
- What if my return is half done? We pick up where it was left and agree with your previous accountant who finishes what.
- When is the best time? Any time. Just after a return is filed is the cleanest handover, but it is never a reason to wait.
- Will it cost more? You get a fixed fee before we start, and there is no charge for the handover itself.
General information only. Talk to us about your own situation before acting on it.
