Manage your Tax better

Don’t Just Pay Tax - Manage It

If you’re a business owner, you already know tax isn’t just a bill, it’s a beast that can bite into your cashflow if it’s not handled properly.

What Is Tax Pooling?

TMNZ helps businesses manage their provisional tax payments more effectively. Instead of guessing what you owe and risking penalties, TMNZ lets you make tax payments into a “pool.” This pool acts like a holding tank, you can pay early, pay late, or swap tax payments with other businesses so the final payment to IRD is accurate and penalty-free.

Why It Exists

Provisional tax can be hard to get right, especially when business income fluctuates. TMNZ was started in 2003 by Ian and Wendy Kuperus to give businesses flexibility and reduce the risk of penalties from underpayment. Their system allows you to pay what you can when you can, then true up later with the right figures.

Common Mistakes with Provisional Tax

Many business owners assume their tax obligations are “set and forget,” but that can be dangerous. Most businesses are put on what’s called the “standard uplift” method, where your tax for the new year is calculated based on 105% of the previous year. The trouble is, business isn’t always consistent.

TMNZ gives you options like Flexitax, which lets you chip away at your tax obligations over time, without the pain of IRD’s penalty rates. That means more flexibility and less stress.

When Things Go Wrong

Joe gave an example of a large poultry business hit by bird flu. Their income dropped off a cliff, but IRD still expected provisional tax on time. TMNZ was able to step in with tax finance, giving them breathing room to cover wages and keep the business running until cashflow returned.

Profits with a Purpose

One of the coolest things about TMNZ? They’re 100% purpose-driven. All profits go to the Whakatupu Aotearoa Foundation, which funds environmental and sustainability initiatives. So when you use tax pooling, you’re not just helping your own business—you’re helping the planet too.

Key Takeaways for Business Owners

• Don’t let tax dates dictate your business decisions, use pooling to manage timing.

• If your income fluctuates, Flexitax gives you breathing room to pay what you can.

• Don’t be afraid to get advice. TMNZ’s help is free, and often faster than waiting for IRD.

• Managing tax properly can give you more usable cash and help avoid painful penalties.

• Using TMNZ supports sustainability efforts through their not-for-profit foundation.