Startup checklist

• Confirm sole trader is the right structureWeigh up the liability risk in your line of work.  ·  Read more
• Settle on your business nameRun the Companies Register, trade mark, web and domain checks.  ·  Read more
• Register the domain nameThe only step here that someone else can take from you.  ·  Read more
• Set up your business email addressOne mailbox is included free with a Moreweb domain.  ·  Read more
• Tell IRD you are self-employedAdd a self-employed income source in myIR.  ·  Read more
• Check whether you need to register for GST$60,000 turnover in any rolling 12 months.  ·  Read more
• Get an NZBNFree, quick, and useful for suppliers and government.  ·  Read more
• Open a separate bank accountNot compulsory. Do it anyway.  ·  Read more
• Open a savings account for taxMove a fixed percentage across every time you are paid.  ·  Read more
• Sort your ACC cover and classification unitCheck the CU actually matches the work you do.  ·  Read more
• Arrange business insurancePublic liability, professional indemnity, tools, income protection.  ·  Read more
• Check licences and permits for your tradeFood, trades, transport, care, alcohol, home-based work.  ·  Read more
• Set up income and expense recordsA spreadsheet is fine to start. Just start.  ·  Read more
• Write your terms of trade and invoice templateAgree payment terms before the work, not after.  ·  Read more
• Decide on a website or a redirectForwarding your domain to Facebook or LinkedIn is free.  ·  Read more

Printing this

Use your browser's print function (Ctrl+P, or Cmd+P on a Mac) to get a clean one-page version without the navigation. Handy if you would rather work through it on paper.