On 29 August 2022 Inland Revenue released a 49-page report: “Fringe benefit tax: regulatory stewardship review”, which reports the summary, findings and recommendations of a review of New Zealand’s current Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) regime – a regime whose design and operation has not been subject to a full review for nearly 20 years. The […]
In 2017 Inland Revenue released an Interpretation Statement, IS 17/02, which formalised the long-standing practice of allowing a farmer to claim a portion of their farmhouse expenditure on the basis it is the “headquarters” of the farm. But then in 2020 Interpretation Statement IS 20/05 was released by Inland Revenue which overthrew the common practice
Update – GST on farmhouses and holiday homes Read More »
There are common misconceptions in relation to how portfolio shareholdings in foreign companies are treated for tax purposes. One misconception is that if either the profits of the foreign company or the dividends it pays have been subject to tax overseas then New Zealand (NZ) tax does not apply. Another is that if the foreign
Shares held in foreign companies 101 Read More »
The introduction of the 39% tax rate for individuals who earn over $180,000 from 1 April 2021 has reignited Inland Revenue’s interest in the income attribution and market salary regimes. These rules currently prevent a person from having income earnt from individual efforts or “personal services” taxed through an associated entity at a lower tax
Attribution vs market salary rules Read More »
On 30 March 2022, the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2021-22, GST and Remedial Matters) Act 2022 received Royal assent. Its passing into law brings with it the extension of the residential bright line period from 5 to 10 years and denial of interest deductibility for residential investment properties. The legislation itself is complex and difficult
Is it a ‘New Build’? Read More »
Despite significant technological and operational business changes, the rules regarding GST tax invoices have remained largely unchanged since GST was first introduced in 1986. However, new legislation was passed on 29 March 2022 that is intended to improve and modernise GST invoicing and record-keeping requirements. A long-standing requirement to be able to make a GST
Farewell to “tax invoices’’ Read More »
For those of you who prepare and file FBT returns on behalf of a GST-registered employer, you will be familiar with the GST on FBT adjustment that forms part of the FBT return. The adjustment itself is straight-forward and involves calculating GST on the gross taxable benefits that are subject to GST, and including this
Common error – claiming GST on FBT Read More »
The summer break is a time for reflection on the year that has been. For business owners, this break is an opportunity to evaluate their future strategy and consider whether it is time to exit, or conversely, grow by purchasing someone else’s business. Whether buying or selling, it is a demanding exercise. A business sale
Tax due diligence when buying or selling Read More »
On 2nd December 2020, legislation was introduced by the Government that increased the top personal marginal tax rate to 39% on income over $180,000 from the start of the 2021/22 income year. Three other changes were included in that legislation. It introduced: new information gathering powers for the purpose of tax policy development, a new
Where is this going? Read More »
On 9 September 2021, the Government introduced the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2021-22, GST and Remedial Matters) Bill (“the Bill”) into Parliament, containing over 100 tax amendments. Changes of note are summarised as follows. One significant amendment is in relation to purchases from associated persons. Under current law, if a GST registered person (‘the purchaser’)
New tax legislation Read More »