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Directors’ duties
Company directors have a duty under the Companies Act 1993 to not trade recklessly or take on obligations that their business cannot perform. Balancing the continued survival of a company versus their obligation against reckless trading has been a key feature of the Covid-19 economic environment. Recognising that the economic impact of Covid-19 placed some
The 39% rate change
The top personal marginal tax rate increases to 39% on income over $180,000, with effect from 1 April 2021. Businesses should consider what the flow-on effects are and forward plan to ensure they are not caught off guard. Two key areas are discussed in this article. Simplistically put, a company pays income tax at 28%.
New trust annual return requirements
In December 2020 the legislation enacting the new 39% tax rate was passed. Within the same bill, somewhat overshadowed by the rate change, was the introduction of a new “annual return” requirement for trusts. Not to be confused with the new Trustee Act that came into effect at the end of last month which requires
From My Desk – April 2021
Happy New Year, We are all back at our desks after the festivities and summer break. 2021 has started well with a lift in the milk prices for our Fonterra supply clients. Covid continues to be in the news and we nervously remember last year’s lockdown right at the end of the financial year. We
Snippets – Nov 2020 – Jan 2021
Is the grass greener over the ditch? Australia has recently released its 2020-21 Federal Budget where they plan to combat the effect of Covid-19 by investing in infrastructure, job creation, asset write offs and personal tax cuts. Meanwhile in New Zealand, Labour continues their plan to keep New Zealand moving by investing in people, jobs,
Employee accommodation
The treatment of employee accommodation (and taxable allowances) can be confusing. In 2015 the rules around employer-provided accommodation were subject to a reform, with the changes intended to provide greater clarity and cohesion for employers to understand their tax obligations. Previously, a net benefit approach was acceptable, where accommodation provided to an employee was not
New Trustee disclosure obligations
In 2013 the law commission was asked to review the Trustees Act 1956 and NZ Trust law generally. Following this initial review, nearly eight years later, the long-awaited “Trusts Act 2019” will finally come into effect on 31 January 2021, replacing the entire 1956 Act. One of the most significant changes in the new Act
Election outcome and tax policies
After Labour’s victory in the 2020 General Election, their proposed tax policy changes are now likely to be implemented. Labour has ruled out a capital gains tax and an increase in fuel taxes but is prepared to introduce a Digital Services Tax to target multinational digital businesses who have taken advantage of tax structuring options.
Snippets: May – Jul 2020
Can you steal GST? Whether a price includes GST or not is important to know for the price of a product. In the case between the New Zealand Police and Genesis Pure, ‘GST’ became the difference between a maximum penalty of seven years in jail, or one. Mr Pure was charged with stealing an iPhone
Other tax changes in response to Covid-19
In addition to the tax loss carry-back scheme, the New Zealand Government has introduced a number of other tax changes to assist businesses and individuals to get through COVID-19. Currently, if an asset is purchased for less than $500 it does not need to be depreciated. The cost is immediately deductible in the year of
Carry back of tax losses
Ordinarily, if a taxpayer incurs a tax loss within a particular year, they are able to carry that loss forward and offset it against income derived in a future year, thereby reducing the taxpayer’s future tax payable. As part of the Government’s Covid-19 response, on 30 April 2020 legislation was passed under urgency which allows
GST issues paper
On 24 February, Inland Revenue released an Officials’ Issues Paper seeking feedback on various GST issues. A long-standing rule that has proved a source of frustration for those affected applies to transfers of goods between associated persons. The issue is highlighted in the following example. Joe buys a block of land on the edge of
