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The Full Story

At TaxTrail, our journey began with a simple belief: managing your taxes shouldn’t feel overwhelming. We know that for many individuals and small businesses, tax obligations can feel like a maze — complex, time-consuming, and often stressful. That’s why we set out to change the experience.

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We’re more than accountants. We’re your trusted partners, here to simplify your tax journey and give you peace of mind. Our name, TaxTrail, reflects our promise: to keep you on track, guide you step by step, and clear the path so you can focus on what matters most — growing your future.

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Our story is one of expertise and care. With years of experience behind us, we’ve built TaxTrail around three values:

  • Clarity — cutting through the jargon to make tax simple and understandable.

  • Trust — giving you the confidence that your obligations are met and your returns maximised.

  • Support — walking beside you every step of the way, not just at tax time but year-round.

 

We know the numbers matter, but for us, it’s about more than balance sheets and filings. It’s about people. It’s about helping you feel in control, confident, and free from the stress of tax obligations.

So whether you’re an accountant or someone seeking specialist tax advice, self-employed, running a growing business, or simply want to know your finances are in good hands, TaxTrail is here to help you Track, File, Relax.

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Because at the end of the day, your financial success is our success.

Caroline McNeill (CA)

I’m a tax advisor with a background in both professional practice and government, offering technical clarity and strategic support across a wide range of tax matters.

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My recent experience includes working as a tax manager within mid-tier professional services firms, where I provided tailored advice to NZ-owned entities, high-net-worth individuals, and cross-border clients. Prior to this, I spent several years at Inland Revenue as an investigator, focusing on tax evasion, avoidance, and technical interpretation. While at IRD, I led projects on Employee Share Schemes and collaborated with the Tax Counsel Office and Policy teams on rulings and indicative views relating to herd schemes, employee vs contractor classification, and FBT.

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I specialise in interpreting tax law and delivering practical, defensible advice — whether through written opinions, PowerPoint presentations, or direct client engagement. My areas of expertise include:

  • Residency: Tax residencies start/end dates, transitional residency, company residency and trust residency.

  • Property: Bright-line rules, acquisition date issues, family transactions, and main home exclusions

  • Structuring: Branch vs subsidiary setup, holding companies, and trust-based restructuring.

  • Employee Share Schemes: Compliance advice, review of schemes and advice and employer/employee obligations.

  • Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT): Advisory, IRD engagement, voluntary disclosures, and amended returns.

  • GST Advisory: Zero-rating, reverse charge, remote services, non-resident obligations, contract reviews, and change-of-use scenarios.

 

I also support clients with tax due diligence, excise tax reporting queries and wine equalisation tax claim queries.

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My approach is grounded, collaborative, and client-focused — helping firms and individuals navigate complexity with confidence.

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Our Accounting Practice is proudly part of ATAINZ – The Accountants and Tax Agents Institute of New Zealand.

 

The Accountants and Tax Agents Institute of New Zealand (ATAINZ) exists to promote the welfare and professional development of its members and to represent members’ interests in New Zealand. It is unique in the New Zealand tax and accounting market because of its grassroots contact with members.

 

IRD Approved

 

The following three organisations have received approved advisor group status to date:

  • The Accountants and Tax Agents Institute of New Zealand

  • Chartered Accountants of Australia and New Zealand

  • CPA Australia/New Zealand

 

What is an approved advisor group?

An “approved advisor group” is defined in section 20B(5) as a group that includes natural persons who meet all of the following requirements. They:

  • have a significant function of giving advice on the operation and effect of tax laws

  • are subject to a professional code of conduct in giving that advice

  • are subject to a disciplinary process that enforces compliance with the code of conduct

 

The group must be approved by the Commissioner before a tax advisor who is subject to an approved advisor group’s code of conduct and disciplinary procedures can claim the right of non-disclosure on behalf of a taxpayer. The Commissioner will exercise his power of approval at a high level of delegated authority, having regard to the statutory requirements and such other relevant considerations as may be applicable.

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Our Accounting Practice is proudly part of CA ANZ – Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand.

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Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ) represents over 136,000 members across New Zealand, Australia, and around the world. It exists to support and strengthen the accounting profession by promoting the highest standards of ethics, education, and professional excellence. CA ANZ members are trusted advisers who help individuals and organisations make confident financial decisions and contribute to the integrity of the wider economy.

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