Pre-migration

A smooth transition is all in the planning

Once you’ve decided to move to New Zealand, a quick call to Avancier Legal will start the immigration ball rolling. It’s the single most important step you can take. It’s vital you engage an experienced New Zealand tax and wealth-structuring lawyer well before immigrating or returning home to New Zealand.

Due to the worldwide taxation system NZ applies to its tax residents, the system is full of intricacies for non-residents coming (or expats returning) to New Zealand. Avancier can offset the impact with clear advice, structure and of course, planning.

How Avancier can help

Working closely with you and your overseas advisers, our team combines deep expertise in succession, immigration law, cross-border structuring, international tax planning and private client advisory to ensure a seamless transition to life and business in New Zealand or Australia. Avancier will take note of your personal circumstances; and the whole undertaking will be done with a focus on both New Zealand and the country you’re leaving.

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Pre-migration planning advice

Depending on your circumstances, our advice may include:

Immigration Tax Planning Opportunities
Advising on tax exemptions and concessions that may be available and dealing with potential double taxation that may arise as a result of your arrival.
Offshore Income Planning
‍Our knowledge helps us use New Zealand’s transitional residency rules to legally exempt most types of offshore income for up to four years.

Asset Protection
We’ll advise you on structuring assets and income sources to make the most of tax outcomes and protect your wealth during the migration process.
Trust Planning and Structuring
‍Evaluating the use of offshore trust structures, New Zealand trusts, private trust companies, independent corporate trustees, companies and/or limited partnerships to protect assets (including financial assets, bank accounts, collectables, shares and property) and to secure family wealth.
Succession Planning
‍Advising on structures that cater to changing circumstances, including life events, potential relocations and retirement plans.
Timeline
‍Advising on establishing a clear timeline for when foreign income will become taxable under New Zealand law.
Foreign and Offshore Entities
‍We provide a guiding hand on managing offshore trusts, foreign (and domestic) trust structures and business structures before becoming a tax resident.

Risk Mitigation
We focus on succession, asset protection issues and managing disclosure of information to authorities, by proactively planning and restructuring before you leave and after you arrive.

Tax planning can leverage benefits for investors in New Zealand

The New Zealand Transitional Tax Residency Regime offers significant benefits for new migrants and returning New Zealanders, particularly for those with international and offshore assets and income. Here's a summary of the key advantages and strategic uses for tax planning:

Four-Year Tax Exemption on Foreign Income for transitional residents

Transitional tax residents are exempt from New Zealand tax on most types of foreign-sourced income for up to 4 years from the date they become tax residents:

What's exempt:
- Foreign dividends and interest
- Rental income from overseas properties
- Offshore business income (not related to services)
- Foreign Investment Fund (FIF) income
- Some foreign superannuation withdrawals (if transferred within the 4 years)
The exemption does not apply to:
- New Zealand-sourced income;
- Employment income (even if earned overseas)
- Income under CFC (Controlled Foreign Corporation) and FIF (Foreign Investment Fund) rules (unless specifically exempted)
You can only claim the exemption once in your lifetime.
You must not have been a New Zealand tax resident in the 10 years prior to qualifying.

Strategic Asset Restructuring Window

The exemption period gives migrants an opportunity to restructure their foreign financial affairs in an efficient manner.

This includes:
- Reviewing foreign trust structures, companies, limited partnerships and related entities.
- Liquidating, converting or restructuring passive investments.
- Planning for future income streams and distributions.

Double Tax Agreements

New Zealand has a broad network of double tax agreements (DTAs) that help prevent transitional residents from having to pay twice.

For a list of current DTA countries refer to the IRD website.

Testimonials

“I've been fortunate enough to have worked with Claudia at different times as a colleague, as a client and as an advisor over the course of several decades and have always valued her ability to balance technical legal analysis with practical and commercial realities while never losing sight of the complex wants and needs of clients as human beings.”

Anonymous

"Claudia mentored me in the early years of my legal career, and what she taught me continues to shape the lawyer I am today. Her expertise in international private client matters—especially tax, estate planning, and trusts—is exceptional. She explains complex issues clearly and calmly, always putting the client’s needs first."

James Gribbin, Senior Associate, Michelmores, London, United Kingdom

Move your wealth well

Pre-migration planning for moving to New Zealand