Weekly compensation for self-employed

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A navy blue background displays the white ACC logo. Text appears alongside it: He Kaupare. He Manaaki. He Whakaora. Prevention. Care. Recovery. The background wipes to a peach/pink colour. A small tag in the top right reads: self-employed. Large text appears on screen: Weekly compensation explained for self-employed. 

Transcript 

Upbeat, gentle instrumental music plays in the background 

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A male presenter with a beard and curly hair tied in a bun, wearing a cream sweater, sits in an armchair in a modern office room with wood-panelled walls, a potted palm and couch in the background — there is an open laptop and mug on a wooden side table beside him. He speaks directly to the camera. 

Transcript 

Kia ora. There are several ways we can manaaki, or support you, in your recovery. If you've been injured and can't work, ACC can help by replacing some of your lost income through weekly compensation. This episode is for self-employed people, like independent contractors, business owners, and anyone who files their own tax returns. If you’ve purchased a CoverPlus Extra policy, this information doesn't apply to you. 

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The screen splits vertically. The presenter remains on the right. The left side turns white and displays the text: Weekly compensation is up to 80% of your average weekly earnings. Below the text, a navy blue and orange pie chart graphic appears, showing this percentage. 

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Weekly compensation is usually up to 80% of your earnings you've declared, or intend to declare, with Inland Revenue before your injury. 

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The video cuts back to the full shot of the presenter in the office. 

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Tax and deductions still apply, like student loans, KiwiSaver, or child support. Filing your tax return helps us calculate your payments correctly and reduces the risk of overpayment, which you'd need to pay back. Your first weekly compensation payment covers the period when you become eligible, usually day 8 after your injury, not the day you applied. It's paid once we've processed and approved your application. 

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An orange graphic overlay appears on the left side of the screen with the text: Visit MyACC my.acc.co.nz 

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We'll let you know when this happens, and you can check MyACC for payment details. If you haven't filed your tax return yet, we may approve temporary payments for up to three months. They could be based on your previous or estimated earnings. Call us if you haven't filed your tax return yet and need financial support while you're unable to work. 

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The orange graphic overlay on the left side of the screen disappears.  

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Here's the key thing to remember: Your first payment covers the time from when you became eligible, not necessarily the day you applied. Contact us if you're unsure; we're here to help. Here's a summary of what we've covered so far. 

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The screen switches to a graphic on a white background. On the left, the heading: key takeaways appears above an orange pencil icon. On the right, a numbered list appears, line by line: 

1. You usually become eligible for weekly compensation from day 8 after your injury 
2. If you've filed a tax return we can calculate your payments accurately 
3. If you haven't filed yet, a temporary payment type may be available 

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The video cuts back to the presenter in the office for the closing statement. 

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In the next episode, we'll explain what can impact weekly compensation payments. To learn more, visit our website. Hoki mai anō. 

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The screen returns to the navy blue background with the ACC logo in the top left. Large text in the centre reads: Use MyACC to apply for weekly compensation and manage your claim. Contact details appear at the bottom of the screen, in the following order: website www.acc.co.nz, email address claims@acc.co.nz, and the free call phone number 0800 101 996. 

Transcript 

The upbeat, gentle instrumental music fades out. 

Visual 

A navy blue background displays the white ACC logo. Text appears alongside it: He Kaupare. He Manaaki. He Whakaora. Prevention. Care. Recovery. The background wipes to a peach/pink colour. A small tag in the top right reads: self-employed. Large text appears on screen: What can impact weekly compensation for self-employed. 

Transcript 

Upbeat, gentle instrumental music plays in the background 

Visual 

A male presenter with a beard and curly hair tied in a bun, wearing a cream sweater, sits in an armchair in a modern office room with wood-panelled walls, a potted palm and couch in the background — there is an open laptop and mug on a wooden side table beside him. He speaks directly to the camera. 

Transcript 

Kia ora. If you're self-employed and getting weekly compensation, here's what could impact the amount you receive. 

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The screen switches to a graphic on a white background on the left side the heading: ‘what can affect your payments’ sits above an orange clipboard icon. On the right side, text appears, line by line: Filing reduced earnings. 

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If you file lower earnings with Inland Revenue, your weekly compensation payments may be less than you expect. 

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The list updates with a new item: Changing your work status. 

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If you've received interim or estimated payments based on full-time work, but later file your tax return as part-time, you may have been overpaid and will need to pay this back. 

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The list updates with a new item: Recalculation after filing earnings. 

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Once you do file your tax return, we'll reassess your payments. If you've earned more, we'll pay you the difference. If you've earned less, you'll need to pay back the extra. 

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The list updates with a new item: Earning while receiving weekly compensation. 

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If you're recovering and still earning income, either by working or through your business, we'll adjust your weekly compensation. This is called abatement. We also recommend talking to Inland Revenue about a secondary tax code to make sure you pay the correct tax. 

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The list updates with a new item: Minimum and maximum amounts. 

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There are legal limits on weekly compensation amounts. If your compensation is below the minimum, we can increase it to the full-time minimum rate if you qualify. There's also a maximum rate we can pay. These limits update each year, so please check our website for the latest amounts. 

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The list updates with a final item: CoverPlus Extra. 

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If you have CoverPlus Extra, your compensation is based on your agreed level of cover, before tax and deductions. This optional paid cover lets you choose your income level and is ideal if your income varies or you want certainty. 

Your policy must be active at the time you're injured and can't work, and if you need any further time off. For example, if your initial injury doesn't fully heal and you need surgery later. 

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The video cuts back to the full shot of the presenter in the office. 

Transcript 

Here's the key thing to remember. Payments can vary depending on your business type, how you report income, and whether you've filed your tax return. If you're unsure, contact us. We're here to help. Here's a summary of what we've covered so far. 

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The screen switches to a graphic on a white background. On the left, the heading ‘key takeaways’ appears above an orange pencil icon. On the right, a numbered list appears, line by line: 

1. Payments could be based on an estimate or your filed earnings 
2. Once you've filed actual earnings, we'll reassess as you may have been over- or underpaid 
3. If you pay for CoverPlus Extra you choose the amount you want to be covered for 

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The video cuts back to the presenter in the office for the closing statement. 

Transcript 

In the next episode, we'll show you how weekly compensation gets calculated in different situations. To learn more, visit our website. Hoki mai anō. 

Visual 

The screen returns to the navy blue background with the ACC logo in the top left. Large text in the centre reads: Use MyACC to apply for weekly compensation and manage your claim. Contact details appear at the bottom of the screen, in the following order: website www.acc.co.nz, email address claims@acc.co.nz, and the free call phone number 0800 101 996. 

Transcript 

The upbeat, gentle instrumental music fades out.