Hiring a Chartered Accountant for Your Tax Return
November 4, 2026 • Blog
Last Updated: November 4, 2026
Quick Summary
A chartered accountant can prepare, review and file your tax return and advise on structuring your affairs. You should consider hiring one when your return involves business or self-employed income, rental property, overseas income or assets, provisional tax, or a tax liability you do not understand. A straightforward PAYE employee with one income source can often file with the IRD’s own tools.
- Consider a chartered accountant for business or self-employed income, rental property, or overseas income or assets.
- Provisional tax and a tax liability you do not understand are also reasons to hire professional help.
- A straightforward PAYE employee with one income source can often file with the IRD’s own tools.
- Ask who will do the work, how you will communicate, and whether they hold a current chartered accountant qualification.
- Gather income statements, bank records and expense receipts early to help the return run smoothly.
Table of Contents
- Questions to Ask an Accountant Before You Hire
- Documents Needed for a Tax Return and Typical Tax Accountant Fees
- Frequently Asked Questions
Hiring a chartered accountant for your tax return is a decision with real money attached. A chartered accountant (CA) can prepare, review and file your return and advise on structuring your affairs.
Not every return needs professional help: a straightforward PAYE employee with one income source can often file with the IRD’s own tools. The picture changes with business income, rental property, overseas income, or a messy year.
Consider a chartered accountant when your return involves business or self-employed income, rental property (depreciation, interest and repairs), overseas income or assets, provisional tax, or a tax liability you do not understand.
Our team works with small and medium-sized business owners, sole traders, rental property investors and trustees.
Questions to Ask an Accountant Before You Hire
Before you hire anyone, ask direct questions: who will actually do the work, how you will communicate through the year, what happens if you disagree with their advice, and whether they hold a current chartered accountant qualification.
Ask about pricing in writing, including what is covered by the fee. Finally, ask how you can leave if the relationship does not work. For a fuller checklist, read our practical selection guide on choosing a business accountant.
Documents Needed for a Tax Return and Typical Tax Accountant Fees
Gathering documents early helps the return run more smoothly. Most returns need income statements, bank records, receipts for deductible expenses, and details of any assets or property; for a business, that means sales records, purchase invoices and your bookkeeping.
Pricing depends on the complexity of your return. Contact Macro Accounting for a current quote tailored to your situation.
Ready to talk through your return? book a tax advisory consultation with our team, or see how our GST and income tax return service works before you decide.
The article’s main points on what to gather and what affects cost can be scanned at a glance:
| Item | Detail | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Income statements | Record of all income | Needed for every return |
| Bank records | Account activity for the year | Needed for every return |
| Expense receipts | Proof of deductible expenses | Keep for deductions claimed |
| Asset and property details | Records of assets owned | Include if you hold property |
| Sales records (business) | Business income evidence | Needed for business returns |
| Purchase invoices (business) | Business expense evidence | Needed for business returns |
| Bookkeeping | Your business accounts | Needed for business returns |
| Pricing | Varies with return complexity | Get a current quote in writing |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a chartered accountant to file my tax return?
No. In New Zealand you can file your own income tax return with Inland Revenue. A chartered accountant is useful when your affairs are complex, such as several rental properties, a trust, overseas income or a business with provisional tax. Macro Accounting can advise which option suits your situation. Check current fees and services directly with Macro Accounting.
What is the difference between an accountant and a tax agent?
A chartered accountant is a qualified accounting professional who can prepare accounts and give financial advice. A tax agent is registered with Inland Revenue to file returns on your behalf and deal with the IRD for you. Many chartered accountants are also registered tax agents. Ask any firm you consider whether they hold both roles so you know what they can handle.
