CPA New Zealand Taxation study plan

Map the New Zealand tax framework by listing the statutes and authorities that govern income tax, GST, and tax administration, and note which body administers each

Explain to yourself in writing how residence and source rules determine a person's New Zealand tax base, using three contrasting fact patterns

Distinguish the four income categories (income from employment, business, investment, and other) and classify ten short scenarios into the correct category

Set up a personal formula sheet for the core rate structures, thresholds, and filing dates you will reuse all plan long

Compute taxable income for individuals by applying deductions, allowances, and the treatment of each income type in worked examples

Differentiate the tax treatment of sole traders, partnerships, and companies, and state the compliance obligations of each entity type

Calculate provisional and terminal tax obligations for a self-employed taxpayer across a two-year cycle

Draft a comparison table of entity structures covering tax rates, loss treatment, and distribution rules

Apply the GST rules to calculate output tax, input tax, and net GST payable across mixed taxable and exempt supplies

Determine GST registration obligations and the consequences of crossing the registration threshold mid-period

Analyse how GST applies to imports, exports, and zero-rated supplies using worked examples

Explain the GST treatment of special supplies such as going concerns and land transactions in your own words

Compute depreciation deductions using the appropriate methods and rates for different asset classes

Determine the tax treatment of disposals, including any recovered depreciation, and of trading stock adjustments

Apply the rules for deductions generally, distinguishing capital from revenue expenditure with reasoned examples

Work through the treatment of losses, including carry-forward rules and continuity requirements

Explain the taxation of investment income, including dividends and interest, and how withholding works

Apply the rules for rental property income, including expenses, ring-fencing, and any applicable deductions

Differentiate the treatment of employee benefits, allowances, and other employment-related payments

Calculate the tax consequences of a property disposal under the relevant bright-line and intention tests

Outline the tax administration cycle, covering assessment, return filing, payment dates, and penalties for late filing and late payment

Explain the dispute and challenge process available to a taxpayer, including time limits and the role of the relevant authority

Apply the avoidance and evasion rules to distinguish legitimate arrangements from those the legislation targets

Identify the record-keeping obligations and the consequences of non-compliance

Synthesise all prior topics by completing full-length practice questions under exam conditions

Identify your three weakest sub-topics from practice results and re-study each with fresh worked examples

Practise allocating time across a mixed exam paper so that computation and written sections both get coverage

Refine your formula sheet down to the essentials you can recall without prompts

Re-drill your ranked weak areas with targeted questions until each is answered correctly twice in a row

Recite the core rates, thresholds, dates, and definitions from memory in a blank-page recall test

Complete a second timed paper and compare scores against week seven to confirm improvement

Review your error logs one final time and consolidate a single pre-exam revision sheet