GST

The crashing of the Inland Revenue Department website yesterday, the deadline for businesses to file GST returns, was a sign of worse to come, Labour revenue spokesman David Clark said.

Blame it on GST.

Serious cash-flow problems for small and medium-sized businesses through GST refunds being withheld by the IRD for extended periods have come under scrutiny.

Retail figures released yesterday showed New Zealanders did go on a buying spree before GST increased to 15% on October 1.

The confusion this week over how GST is charged by utility companies illustrates some of the complexities consequent of the rate change, Deloitte Dunedin tax partner Peter Truman says.

Consumers appeared to try to beat the rise in GST at the start of this month by bringing forward household purchases to September, the latest electronic card transactions show.

Most New Zealand families, already struggling to make ends meet, are going backwards not forwards, Labour leader Phil Goff says.

Juggling GST returns and mountains of paperwork with sick children and a broken dishwasher, provide a unique set of challenges for Dunedin businesswomen.

Otago businesses were as busy as they looked on the eve of the GST increase.

With 100 signatures collected in an hour yesterday, Alliance Party members were having a successful time petitioning for their latest cause in South Dunedin.