A smarter way to approach tax planning
As Wellington Chartered Accountants, we deliver practical advice that aligns tax outcomes with your goals. As a firm established in 1940, we bring decades of continuity, modern tools, and a client-first approach to every engagement. As your local team in Wellington Central, we support clients across all suburbs and beyond. As a result, you benefit from seasoned judgment paired with clear, plain-English guidance.
Importantly, our Tax Planning Services span both compliance and strategy. Additionally, we integrate budgeting, cash-flow forecasting, and cloud systems so decisions are grounded in real numbers. Moreover, we map the tax impact of investment choices, business structure, and timing, then help you implement cleanly. Furthermore, our registered tax agents manage income tax, GST, PAYE, and FBT obligations end-to-end.
Crucially, our team combines technical depth with responsive service. Consequently, you get timely reminders, accurate filings, and advice that anticipates change. Equally, you can get started easily; simply contact us for more info by filling in an enquiry form or e-mailing or calling us during office hours.
Who we are and how we work
Typically, clients choose us for experience and accessibility. Notably, Long + Cowan has supported Wellington businesses and families for more than 75 years. Specifically, our Principal, Ben Stockbridge, leads a skilled team with broad credentials and sector experience. Additionally, our mission focuses on tailored solutions, trust, and transparency across the region.
Deliberately, we pair local knowledge with technology. Therefore, we use Xero and MYOB to streamline records, forecast liabilities, and surface insights you can act on. Intentionally, that reduces errors and speeds filing. Likewise, our service area covers Wellington Central and surrounding suburbs such as Te Aro, Thorndon, Miramar, Kelburn, Karori, Johnsonville, Island Bay, Crofton Downs, and Wadestown.
Purposefully, we structure each engagement around your goals. Firstly, we clarify your current position. Secondly, we identify quick wins and longer-term opportunities. Thirdly, we schedule actions and checkpoints so progress is visible and sustained. In every step, our Tax Planning Services remain the anchor.
Why tax planning matters
Fundamentally, effective planning reduces liability within the rules. Practically, it protects cash flow and reduces the chance of penalties. Equally, it supports better investment choices and long-term stability. Additionally, it ensures filings are on time and complete under Inland Revenue requirements.
Concisely, here is what structured planning achieves:
- Minimised liabilities: You use targeted deductions and credits lawfully.
- Improved cash flow: You align instalments and timing with real cash cycles.
- Lower risk: You reduce audit triggers with accurate records and reconciliations.
- Better decisions: You evaluate business moves with clear after-tax outcomes.
Deliberately, we keep records clean, reconciled, and searchable. Consequently, documentation supports every claim and speeds any review.
Core components we assess
Consistently, we focus on these pillars when delivering Tax Planning Services:
- Legislation awareness: You stay current on rules affecting your sector.
- Credits and deductions: You claim what applies and document thoroughly.
- Timing of income and costs: You phase receipts and expenses with intent.
- Tax-efficient investments: You choose structures that fit your horizon.
- Record keeping: You maintain evidence that stands up under scrutiny.
- Compliance cadence: You meet every due date with accurate data.
Carefully, we align each pillar with budgets and forecasts so plans hold through the year.
Strategies for businesses
Regularly, business clients ask where the biggest gains lie. Commonly, improvements start with structure, documentation, and timing. Additionally, cash-flow modelling clarifies provisional tax and GST settings. Likewise, payroll accuracy reduces risk across PAYE, leave, and KiwiSaver.
Specifically, we help you:
- Choose an efficient structure: You weigh tax, liability, and growth needs.
- Optimise expenses: You categorise costs correctly and substantiate claims.
- Maximise deductions: You use sector-specific allowances appropriately.
- Plan salary and drawings: You balance remuneration with retained earnings.
- Leverage incentives: You identify credits relevant to your activities.
- Manage cross-border issues: You align foreign income treatment with rules.
Additionally, we integrate GST planning with cash-flow forecasting so payment cycles do not strain operations. Moreover, we embed checkpoints into monthly reporting so issues are caught early.
Strategies for individuals
Frequently, individual planning hinges on investment mix, timing, and life events. Therefore, we look at ownership structures, gifting, and charitable giving. Furthermore, we consider retirement savings, education funding, and healthcare accounts where relevant.
For individuals, we typically:
- Plan tax-efficient investments: You understand after-tax returns clearly.
- Align charitable giving: You capture documentation and optimise timing.
- Prepare for retirement: You plan drawdowns with tax in mind.
- Structure estates: You protect assets and reduce administrative burdens.
- Fund education: You sequence savings with your cash-flow profile.
Importantly, we keep every recommendation practical and easy to maintain. Consequently, your plan remains usable year after year.
SMEs in Wellington: unique considerations
Often, smaller teams juggle many priorities. Accordingly, we tailor our Tax Planning Services to fit real constraints. Specifically, we simplify processes, automate routine work, and provide concise dashboards. Additionally, we link planning to budgets so targets are measurable.
For SMEs, we emphasise:
- Regular reviews: You adjust plans as rules and results evolve.
- Expense hygiene: You maintain consistent coding and evidence.
- Income and expense timing: You reduce spikes in liabilities.
- Investment sequencing: You align growth plans with tax capacity.
Notably, our approach scales from sole traders to growing companies. Similarly, our advisory covers start-ups, restructuring, and succession paths.
Choosing the right adviser
Naturally, capability matters. Therefore, look for deep tax expertise, strong communication, and full-service support. Conveniently, our Wellington team provides accounting, taxation, payroll, budgeting, cash-flow forecasting, business planning, cloud systems, and FIF support under one roof. Moreover, our professional affiliations and long tenure reinforce quality and governance.
When comparing options, consider:
- Qualifications and track record across business sizes.
- Industry familiarity with your specific risk points.
- Breadth of services that integrate tax with accounting and planning.
- Clear communication in plain language and practical terms.
- Customisation that reflects your goals and constraints.
Helpfully, you can start the conversation today; simply contact us for more info by filling in an enquiry form or e-mailing or calling us during office hours.
Common pitfalls to avoid
Unfortunately, avoidable errors waste time and money. Common pitfalls include last-minute planning, DIY guesswork, misreading rules, weak records, and missed incentives. Positively, a disciplined process and experienced guidance prevent most issues.
In practice, we help you avoid:
- Late planning: You miss easy wins and create pressure.
- Self-assessed complexity: You risk mistakes and penalties.
- Rule confusion: You misclassify income or deductions.
- Poor documentation: You struggle to substantiate claims.
- Overlooked credits: You leave funded incentives unused.
Deliberately, we build calendars, checklists, and workflows that keep your team on track all year.
How we deliver in Wellington
Consistently, we combine people, process, and platforms. Firstly, a dedicated accounting manager becomes your primary contact. Secondly, we integrate Xero or MYOB with your bank feeds and payroll. Thirdly, we schedule quarterly reviews that tie results to actions. Consequently, you gain smooth compliance and confident decision-making.
Regionally, we serve Wellington Central and the surrounding suburbs listed in our service map, including Johnsonville, Island Bay, Thorndon, Miramar, Kelburn, Karori, Crofton Downs, Te Aro, and Wadestown. Additionally, we support clients elsewhere in New Zealand who value responsive, technology-enabled service.
Finally, our heritage anchors our future. Historically, Long + Cowan grew from earlier Wellington practices into the partnership of Hiram Long and Neville Cowan, then continued under today’s leadership. Presently, we unite tradition with innovation to deliver consistent value across Tax Planning in Wellington and broader advisory work.
What you can expect next
Straightaway, we help you clarify objectives and organise records. Thereafter, we model scenarios and prioritise actions. Subsequently, we align filings, instalments, and funding. Thereafter, we review outcomes and refine the plan. Throughout, our Wellington Planning Services remain practical, measurable, and clearly explained.
Whenever you are ready to improve your tax position, please contact us for more info by filling in an enquiry form or e-mailing or calling us during office hours. Naturally, our team will respond promptly with next steps.
