Sharp as tax

Finance Minister Nicola Willis will unveil her "no BS" Budget on Thursday afternoon. Photo: RNZ

Investment Boost should improve business confidence

While the government has been focused in recent times on trying to reduce expenditure to balance the books, the announcement of the new Investment Boost in last week’s Budget should help improve business confidence.

Inland Revenue seeks to reduce complexity of FBT regime

The mother of three faces a $38,000 bill after inadvertently declaring she did not have a partner...

Inland Revenue seeks to reduce complexity of FBT regime

Inland Revenue (IR) released an issues paper on reform of the FBT regime on April 1, the 40th anniversary of the regime’s introduction.

Top tax rate increase needs attention

The money must be used for essential household goods and repairs such as furniture, appliances,...

Top tax rate increase needs attention

In the turmoil of temporary lockdowns and excitement of the America’s Cup racing, many people have lost sight of the fact that the promised lift of the top marginal tax rate for individuals earning...

Government’s Covid-related spending may drive tax appetite

What a year 2020 was; Australian wildfires, a new president of the United States, a Labour majority, and Covid-19.

Reasons to take a dim view of house sale ‘bright lines’

It has been a year whereby our vocabulary is now quite different from where we started; words like bubbles, social distancing, contact tracing and recently bright line have seeped into our vernacular.

How might Labour tinker with tax policy after big election win?

How might Labour tinker with tax policy after big election win?

After Labour’s landslide victory a week ago, many New Zealanders may now be more seriously considering the impact of the proposed 39% tax rate to be imposed on personal income earned over $180,000.

Business recovery appears unsustainable without reopening our borders

Save for the latest Covid Alert Level increase, most businesses in Otago that I have talked to are actually quite busy, excluding the obviously devastated industries such as tourism and foreign...

Falls in short-term occupancy rates have tax implications

New figures show the resort is the most expensive place to rent a house in New Zealand. Photo:...

Falls in short-term occupancy rates have tax implications

The short-term rental scene in NZ has exploded in recent years because of a booming tourism industry and the realisation by (holiday) home owners that they can rent out their properties for an extra buck or two while they're not using them.

Tax implications for shares must be attended

During early April, the number of trades undertaken on the NZX among retail investors per day...

Tax implications for shares must be attended

Although the Financial Markets Authority warned do-it-yourself investors against diving into the stock market to take advantage of cheap share prices during Covid-19 lockdown without first doing...

Residential landlords left out from tax relief package

Past and present state houses in Brockville. Photo: ODT files

Residential landlords left out from tax relief package

The Government introduced the Loss Carry-back Scheme as part of the recent Covid-19 tax relief package.

Lockdown factors to consider when paying provisional tax

Business owners New Zealand-wide will be feeling the immense financial strain of the Level 4 lockdown response to the Covid-19 pandemic, particularly if they have large upcoming provisional tax...

Donee status no done deal

Feeling generous and thinking of making a donation to a good cause in the knowledge that the Government will effectively fund 33% of it by way of that nice tax credit?

Forestry investment far from straight forward venture

Contractors at work on a Dunedin City Council-owned City Forests plantation near Dunedin. PHOTO:...

Forestry investment far from straight forward venture

As forest fires, and climate change debate, rage across the Tasman (and our thoughts and best wishes go out to our Australian cousins), the topic of forestry in NZ has arisen over the Christmas break.

Property sellers and buyers: bear new IRD focus in mind

If you are selling or have sold property recently, you should be aware of the IRD's recent focus on, and review of, provisions dealing with the taxation of land.

'Your action required': Managing IRD disclosure letters

Following the recent disclosure requirements in terms of Automatic Exchange of Information Agreement, we are now seeing the next wave of enforcement from Inland Revenue.

Adjustment pains of IRD's new system costs taxpayer trust

Even if you have a tax agent, you may have recently received a notice from the IRD regarding tax that you have already paid or containing an assessment of tax that doesn't seem quite right.

Sloppy record-keeping can have expensive results

Sloppy record-keeping can have expensive results

A recent Taxation Review Authority decision has highlighted the importance of clearly recording the nature of transactions between companies and their shareholders, and vice versa namely through...

Tax advice has to be accurate

Tax is complex and, at times, not totally logical or fair. Sometimes the combination of legislative changes and technological advancements can create a disconnect between "common knowledge" shared...

Money laundering regulations proving cumbersome

New Zealand businesses - ranging from banks to car dealers - have to be able to detect money...

Money laundering regulations proving cumbersome

The Financial Intelligence Unit has estimated that more than $1billion dollars a year is generated through drug dealing and fraud in New Zealand.

Dunedin's start-ups box above weight by world comparison

Scott Mason's passion is promoting and supporting early stage businesses in Dunedin.

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Sharp as tax