You are self-employed if you work as a sole trader, in a partnership, or your income is subject to withholding or schedular payments. If you own shares in a close company that employs you then you are considered a shareholder-employee. A ‘close company’ is a company where more than half its shares are held by five or fewer shareholders that are ‘natural persons’ (ie a trust is not a ‘natural person’).
New to self-employment
When you start self-employment ACC provides personal injury cover immediately. However, you don’t need to pay for it until after your first tax return is submitted.
- Frequently asked questions: New to self-employment
- Lost earnings compensation when you’re new to self employment.
Manage your levies with ACC Online
ACC provides a range of online services for self-employed users to check levy account details, apply for ACC products, sign up for automated alerts and maintain their personal details. Register online.
What do I pay?
Find out more about ACC levies, how they are calculated and get an idea of how much you will be required to pay as a self-employed person.
- Levies for self-employed
- ACC levy rates 2011/2012
- ACC Levy Risk Groups 2011/12
- Calculate your next levy invoice
- Levy calendar
- What are classification units?
- Liable earnings for self-employed people
- What are residual levies?
- Why do levies change?
- What if my circumstances change?
How do I pay?
This section covers payment options, information about what is in an invoice pack, when you will receive your invoice pack, what to do if you don’t agree with your invoice and what happens if you don’t pay your invoice on time.
GST
Goods and Services Tax (GST) is charged at 15%. All ACC levies are subject to GST.
Cover products for self-employed
ACC has a number of products and health and safety discount programmes designed to suit your self-employment needs.
How to pay less
ACC offers a number of ways you can reduce levy payments by working to reduce risks in the workplace.
Self-employed: What happens if I get injured?
You are normally covered by ACC if you have a work-related injury or illness, or if you get injured outside of work. It is important to make an ACC claim as soon as possible so you can receive entitlements. For more information about making a claim and whether you are covered when you are overseas please see How do I make a claim?
Workplace safety
Keep your workplace safe and free from injury with these tips and resources.
Self-employed e-newsletters
Subscribe to the ACC e-newsletter for self-employed customers, which will keep you up-to-date with information from ACC that may be of interest or benefit to your business.
Last updated: 1 April 2013