Videographer

Tax guide for New Zealand freelance videographers and filmmakers

Allowable Expenses

• Camera & video equipment — Video cameras, drones, gimbals, audio equipment
• Editing software — Adobe Premiere, DaVinci Resolve, Final Cut Pro
• Storage solutions — SSDs, NAS drives, cloud backup for raw footage
• Location & travel — Vehicle costs for shoots, travel to filming locations
• Props & set costs — Client-specific props, set dressing materials

Tax Tips

• Drone licensing and registration costs are deductible if used for business
• Hard drives for client footage storage are a legitimate business expense
• Consider whether your equipment costs exceed NZ$1,000 — if so, you must depreciate

Frequently Asked Questions

Can NZ videographers claim drone costs?

Yes. Drones used for commercial videography work are deductible business assets. If the drone costs more than NZ$1,000, it must be depreciated. CAA licensing and registration fees are also deductible.