Inland Revenue - Tax policy Tax Policy

News and information about the Government's tax policy work programme, including:
- proposed changes to the laws that Inland Revenue is responsible for
- updates on the progress of bills through Parliament
- policy announcements

Tax policy news

18 December 2014
New measure to counter tax evasion begins next year

The Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Tax Matters signed in 2012 becomes operative for New Zealand on 1 January 2015. The convention boosts Inland Revenue’s powers to discover evasion and pursue tax debt overseas. For more information see the media statement.

5 December 2014
Review of tax pooling

PricewaterhouseCoopers recently conducted a review of the tax pooling rules and IRD’s administration of them. The review found that the tax pooling rules are sound, but that some improvements can be made to the administration. For more information, please see the report.

4 December 2014
Taxation (KiwiSaver HomeStart and Remedial Matters) Bill has first reading

A bill introduced to Parliament this week proposes to extend the current KiwiSaver withdrawal rules for first-home buyers by allowing them to withdraw their member tax credits. Amendments are also proposed to ensure recently enacted rules relating to New Zealand veteran entitlements function smoothly from a tax and social assistance perspective. The bill had its first reading today. For more information, see the media statement, the bill and the commentary on the bill.

2 December 2014
Rewrite panel now disestablished

Revenue Minister Todd McClay has announced today that the Rewrite Advisory Panel has been disestablished. For more information see the media statement.

26 November 2014
Officials’ reports released

Two reports from officials have been released today by the Minister of Revenue, Todd McClay. The reports provide an update on policy work being undertaken in New Zealand to address base erosion and profit shifting issues. For more information please see the Minister’s media statement and the reports.

Highlights

Omnibus tax bill enacted

Legislation introduced on 22 November 2013 in the Taxation (Annual Rates, Employee Allowances,...

Budget 2014

The Government’s 2014 Budget has been announced today and includes tax proposals aimed at...

Foreign super bill passes

The Taxation (Annual Rates, Foreign Superannuation, and Remedial Matters) Bill introduced to the...