At a conference for the Young International Fiscal Association last night, the Revenue Minister Simon Watts announced the Government’s tax and social policy work programme. The work programme is designed to support rebuilding the economy and improving fiscal sustainability by simplifying tax, reducing compliance costs, and addressing integrity risks. The work programme is intended to be updated and added to over time.

The Government is seeking public feedback on a proposed approved information sharing agreement (AISA) between Inland Revenue and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE). The AISA would allow Inland Revenue and MBIE to share prescribed information with the other agency for the benefits outlined in the discussion document.

Public views are sought on a proposed temporary remedy to an error in recent FamilyBoost tax credit legislation. The error affects people who receive schedular payments and incorrectly includes this income in the FamilyBoost income calculations before allowing for claimable business expenses. This would result in a person receiving less, or no FamilyBoost payment. 

An Order in Council has been made which corrects a legislative error that prevented GST-registered taxpayers from being able to receive a refund of input tax on certain assets acquired before 1 April 2023 that had a permanent change of use on or after 1 April 2023. The change comes into effect from 10 September and has retrospective effect. This Special Report provides full details of the amendment, and how it can be applied.

A new double tax agreement with the Slovak Republic has been ratified, as well as an amendment to the existing double tax agreement with Austria. The agreements have been implemented in New Zealand by Order in Council.