When the top personal tax rate for individuals increased to 39% from 1 April 2021, it was not surprising to see an increase in the number and quantum of dividends declared by companies (owned by individuals) in the lead up to the change. With the anticipated increase in the Trust tax rate from 33% [...]

Given the necessity of providing fast relief, the wage subsidy scheme provided during COVID in NZ was largely based on trust. Today, MSD operates a Wage Subsidy Integrity and Fraud Programme aimed at ensuring the integrity of the payments and who received them. So far, 38 people have been brought before the courts in [...]

Given the outcome of the general election, we expect to see legislation that will make the following tax changes. The ability to claim interest deductions on debt relating to some residential rental properties acquired before 27 March 2021 will be progressively phased out. National’s tax policy promises to retain a 50% allowable deduction in [...]

New Zealand currently has two different tax concessions aimed at encouraging research and development (R&D). Namely, the Research and Development Loss Tax Credit (RDLTC) and the Research and Development Tax Incentive (RDTI). The RDTI has been in effect for eligible R&D activities from the 2019/2020 income year and was introduced to support the then [...]

With the recent inflation driven surge in the cost of living, apparent increase in crime and seemingly constant complaints about the education and health systems, some New Zealanders are considering packing up and moving to Australia. But is the grass really greener – at least from a tax perspective? Firstly, unlike New Zealand, Australia [...]

For a standard 12-month year, provisional tax is due in three instalments. The instalments generally fall on the 28th day of the fifth, ninth and thirteenth months. However, this is varied in certain situations. For example, for a business with a 31 March balance date the instalments are due on 28 August, 15 January [...]

The Business Payment Practices Act 2023 (‘the Act’) was enacted on 26 July 2023. It will require certain entities (‘reporting entities’) to publicly disclose specific information about their payment practices. Making up over 97% of all businesses in New Zealand, small businesses often do not have the financial resources or market influence to cope [...]