Event Planner

Tax guide for New Zealand self-employed event planners and coordinators

Allowable Expenses

• Supplier costs — Venue deposits, catering, floristry on behalf of clients
• Event software — Event management platforms, registration tools
• Marketing — Website, social media advertising, portfolio hosting
• Vehicle expenses — Site visits, vendor meetings, event day travel
• Professional development — Event industry certifications, conferences

Tax Tips

• Client-paid supplier costs must be carefully accounted — they may net off against payments received
• Event management software is 100% deductible as a business tool
• Professional liability insurance for event planning is a deductible expense

Frequently Asked Questions

How do NZ event planners handle client deposits for venues and suppliers?

Amounts received as deposits for supplier costs are generally not your income — they are pass-through amounts. You must carefully account for what you received and what you paid out. Only your management fee/commission is your taxable income.