Tax Policy, Inland Revenue | News and information about the Government's tax policy work programme

Tax policy news

19 April 2018

Research, Science and Innovation Minister Megan Woods and Revenue Minister Stuart Nash today launched public consultation on proposals for implementing a research and development tax incentive. The objective is to encourage businesses to invest more into research and development. The discussion document seeks public feedback on:

– which types of businesses, R&D activities and expenditure should be eligible;

– the minimum R&D expenditure threshold;

– the maximum cap on R&D expenditure; and

– accountability measures.

Consultation closes on 1 June.

31 March 2018

Tax bill enacted

The Taxation (Annual Rates for 2017–18, Employment and Investment Income, and Remedial Matters) Bill was enacted on Thursday 29 March 2018. The new Act is now available on the New Zealand Legislation website.

29 March 2018

Issues paper on loss ring-fencing for rental properties released

Inland Revenue is seeking feedback on a proposal to ring-fence losses on residential rental properties. The intention of the new policy is to level the playing field between speculators and investors, and home buyers. For more information see the Minister of Revenue’s media statement and the officials' issues paper.

28 March 2018

Tax bill passes third reading

The Taxation (Annual Rates for 2017–18, Employment and Investment Income, and Remedial Matters) Bill passed its third reading in the House last night. The bill introduces measures to improve the accuracy of tax collected through the year. The bill also contains measures to ensure that the tax treatment of employee share schemes is more in line with that for other forms of employee remuneration. For more information see the Minister of Revenue’s media statement.

5 March 2018

Minister's address to the 2018 IFA conference

The Minister of Revenue, Hon Stuart Nash, spoke at the International Fiscal Association’s conference over the weekend. The Minister focussed on the current priorities facing the Government, particularly measures currently being considered to make the tax system fairer and more business-friendly. For more information see the Minister of Revenue’s speech.

Tax Working Group

For the terms of reference, news and other information see the Tax Working Group's website.

Highlights

Families Package Bill passed

Parliament passed the Families Package (Income Tax and Benefits) Bill...

BEPS tax bill introduced

A tax bill which will counter base erosion and profit shifting by multinational companies has...

Terms of Reference for Tax Working Group chair announced

The Ministers of Finance and Revenue today released the Terms of Reference and named Sir Michael...