Journalist / Reporter

Tax guide for New Zealand freelance journalists and reporters

Allowable Expenses

• Research tools & databases — News databases, research subscriptions, paywalled sources
• Recording equipment — Dictaphone, recording software, transcription tools
• Travel & transport — Travel to interviews, press events, reporting trips
• Home office — NZ$5/week flat rate or actual proportion
• Professional memberships — Journalism NZ, Press Gallery membership

Tax Tips

• Journalism NZ membership fees are a deductible professional expense
• Research costs including news database subscriptions are 100% deductible
• Recording devices and transcription software are deductible business tools

Frequently Asked Questions

Are press trip travel costs deductible for NZ journalists?

Travel costs for reporting assignments, press events, and investigative journalism are deductible when directly related to earning income. Keep records of the business purpose for each trip.