The Week In Tax

Tax changes how business and people live and work. Each week we discuss tax news and how it affects you. Tax is an important policy lever for Government and cross-border tax for global corporations is an issue for Tax and Fairness.

The Government's “refreshed” Tax and Social Policy Work Programme & more

This week the Government releases a “refreshed” Tax and Social Policy Work Programme and Inland Revenue’s updated draft interpretation statement on the deductibility of repairs and maintenance expenditure has a controversial take on the treatment of leaky buildings.

11-02
24:52

David Tzimenakis and I on the complex issues involved with United States taxation of New Zealand residents

My guest this week is David Tzimenakis co-founder of the US Tax Team, an Auckland-based firm providing American tax services primarily to American citizens living here in New Zealand. We discuss the complex issues involved with United States taxation of New Zealand residents and his initial thoughts on the proposed Foreign Investment Fund Revenue Account Method.

10-23
44:53

Taxation of cryptoassets, Inland Revenue crackdown on debt intensifies and CGT in the OECD

This week an important decision regarding the taxation of cryptoassets, Inland Revenue’s crackdown on debt continues., a new report from Tax Justice Aotearoa on the taxation of capital gains in the OECD and comparable nations and the Governments new job seekers policy results in an effective marginal tax rate of 1,394,200%

10-19
23:38

GST at 32%? Treasury's Long-term Fiscal Statement 2025, income tax implications of providing sponsorship & changes to Family Boost take effect

This week raising the rate of GST to 32% and the age of entitlement for New Zealand Superannuation to 72 are two of the more eye-catching suggestions in Treasury’s latest statement on the country’s long-term fiscal position, the income tax implications of providing sponsorship & changes to Family Boost take effect

10-06
21:35

John Cuthbertson and I discuss the role of CAANZ's tax team, GTPP and the latest tax bill

My guest this week is John Cuthbertson FCA from Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ) and head of CAANZ's tax team. We discussed CAANZ’s public advocacy role, the Generic Tax Policy Process, the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2025−26, Compliance Simplification, and Remedial Measures) Bill and how CAANZ would go about submitting on it.

09-25
54:43

OECD Tax Policy Reforms 2025 report, happy 40th Anniversary to Australia’s CGT, & more

This week the OECD releases its Tax Policy Reforms 2025 report, happy 40th Anniversary to Australia’s CGT, what does the public think about CGT and an international expert gives his view on the challenges facing our tax system.

09-21
28:31

More on the new tax bill, new report on how the tech companies minimise their tax and tax agents rate Inland Revenue

This week more on the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2025−26, Compliance Simplification, and Remedial Measures) Bill and last week’s NZLS Tax Conference, "Big Tech, Little Tax" a report on tax minimisation in the technology sector highlights the low income tax bills of companies such as Amazon and Google, and how do tax agents rate Inland Revenue's performance?

09-14
19:53

A deep(ish) dive into the recently released tax bill and highlights from the 2025 NZLS Tax Conference

Tthe recently released Taxation (Annual Rates for 2025−26, Compliance Simplification, and Remedial Measures) Bill is noteworthy for as much as what’s not included and do we really need a comprehensive capital gains tax, a provocative highlight from the New Zealand Law Society’s 2025 tax Conference.

09-07
27:38

Former Inland Revenue Special Policy Advisor Casey Plunket on New Zealand and International tax landscape

My guest this week is Casey Plunket formerly of Inland Revenue NZ after 25 years as a tax partner in major law firms. Casey is now off to Paris to work at the OECD.We discussed Casey's career, what prompted his move to Inland Revenue and his reflections on the state of the New Zealand system and the tax landscape here in New Zealand.

08-28
49:45

Discussing Inland Revenue's long-term insights briefing with guest Angus Ogilvie of CPA Australia NZ Tax Committee

My guest this week is Angus Ogilvie, Managing Director of Auckland based Generate Accounting and also the chair of accounting body CPA Australia's New Zealand Tax Committee. Angus joins me to discuss Inland Revenue’s long-term insights briefing Stable bases and flexible rates: New Zealand’s tax system

08-14
47:02

Rising tax debt puts Inland Revenue under strain, calls for capital gains tax to help solve housing affordability and more

This week rising overdue tax debt reveals inconsistencies in Inland Revenue’s management of the issue, could a capital gains tax help solve the house-price affordability crisis? And how many taxpayers are reporting overseas income?

08-08
20:35

The perils of having an Australian resident trustee, CPA Australia suggests it's time for a CGT, and the meaning of 'payment' for GST purposes

This week how Australian capital gains tax can apply to the sale of a New Zealand property, CPA Australia suggests it’s time to consider a capital gains tax, more on effective marginal tax rates and the meaning of 'payment' for GST purposes.

08-01
20:20

How effective marginal tax rates fall heaviest on low-income families, the Green Party on rates & more

How a family earning under $60,000 can face an effective marginal tax rate of 71.2%, the Green Party and the Taxpayer's Union agree on a tax change and Inland Revenue updates its guidance on when a taxpayer is carrying on a "business" for income tax purposes.

07-25
18:37

Sir Roger Douglas's radical proposal for the future shape of New Zealand’s tax system, the pros and cons of raising GST to 18%, the first ever sentencing for possession of tax evasion tools

This week, Sir Roger Douglas enters the chat on the future shape of New Zealand’s tax system, the pros and cons of raising GST to 18%, the first ever sentencing for possession of tax evasion tools and a useful technical decision summary on payments to non-resident contractors.

07-17
20:20

Finance Minister considering tax changes for the major banks, changes to the FamilyBoost scheme & climate adapation report ducks a key issue

The Finance Minister eyes up the major banks for a tax increase, announces changes to the FamilyBoost scheme, Inland Revenue releases submissions on the taxation of not-for-proftis and a major report on climate adaptation ducks a key issue.

07-10
19:37

Inland Revenue's long-term insight briefing, G7 announcement on Pillar Two & time to rethink the Student Loan scheme?

This week, Inland Revenue’s draft long-term insights briefing goes out for consultation, have the G7 killed off Pillar Two and is it time for a major rethink of the Student Loan scheme?

07-04
24:45

Guest John Cantin and I discuss Inland Revenue's recent trust disclosures post-implementation review

John Cantin and I discuss Inland Revenue's recent trust disclosures post-implementation review and John's independent review of the trust disclosure regime. What are the purposes of such reviews and what John found surprising.

06-26
36:17

FBT & twin-cab utes, IRD's clampdown on the horticultural sector, tax & New Zealand's low productivity growth

This week Inland Revenue reminds everyone that twin-cab utes are subject to FBT The results of a clampdown on the horticultural sector A damning new report from the IMF highlights New Zealand's low productivity growth is this a by-product of not taxing capital? And is the era of supply side economics over.

06-20
28:35

why the Government backed away from charities taxation reform and the latest Rich List re-ignites wealth tax debate

Why the Government backed away from charities taxation reform, the latest Rich List re-ignites the wealth tax debate, Inland Revenue’s new kilometre rates for the 2025 tax year have a surprise and how long does it take Inland Revenue to answer the phone?

06-13
23:01

Post Budget analysis of the Investment Boost initiative, IRD's additional funding & what may replace the Digital Services Tax

This week more on the Budget announcements, including concerns from the former independent advisor to the last Tax Working Group about the efficacy of the Investment Boost initiative, how Inland Revenue will use its additional funding and the Digital Services Tax is dead but what takes its place?

06-05
18:37

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