So that means the first tranche is effectively reduced by 62.5% and the second by 102.5% (70%+17.5%+15%) meaning for that $50 not only do I lose the whole thing, I would also be short $1.25 when it came to paying tax, and short my expenses on top of that.

WINZ is so messed up man. I feel like this is well known, yet the last government didn't try to fix it and the new one almost certainly won't.

Feel free to ask for help in the future if you need it. And also know that as long as you are doing your best you are very unlikely to get in trouble with the IRD, even if you just guessed at what was right. This is of course different if you're making loads of money and never bothered to ask an accountant you could obviously afford, but while you're income is low they are happy with you just trying your best.

[–] liv 2 points 1 year ago

Thanks, I appreciate it so much. Am now halfway through!

That bookkeeping link was great thanks, and led me on to this one. I think I get the picture... sort of!

Thanks for reassurance about IRD too. They have actually been really helpful. They also told me to keep records of all my reasoning so I can explain it later if they ever have to revisit it, so I'm keeping a document for each return.

Hey, thanks again!!!