Taxation in New Zealand

Taxes in New Zealand are collected at a national level by the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) on behalf of the New Zealand Government. National taxes are levied on personal and business income, and on the supply of goods and services. Capital gains tax applies in limited situations, such as the sale of some rental properties within 10 years of purchase. Some "gains" such as profits on the sale of patent rights are deemed to be income – income tax does apply to property transactions in certain circumstances, particularly speculation. There are currently no land taxes, but local property taxes (rates) are managed and collected by local authorities. Some goods and services carry a specific tax, referred to as an excise or a duty, such as alcohol excise or gaming duty. These are collected by a range of government agencies such as the New Zealand Customs Service. There is no social security (payroll) tax.

New Zealand went through a major program of tax reform in the 1980s. The top marginal rate of income tax was reduced from 66% to 33% (changed to 39% in April 2000, 38% in April 2009, 33% on 1 October 2010 and back to 39% in April 2021) and corporate income tax rate from 48% to 28% (changed to 30% in 2008 and to 28% on 1 October 2010). Goods and services tax was introduced, initially at a rate of 10% (then 12.5% and now 15%, as of 1 October 2010). Land taxes were abolished in 1992.[1]

Tax reform continues in New Zealand. Issues include:

  • business taxes and the effect on productivity and competitiveness of NZ companies[2]
  • differences in the treatment of various types of investment income[3]
  • international tax rules[4]
  1. ^ https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2841132 at page 573
  2. ^ "NZ Government discussion document on business taxes" (PDF). ird.govt.nz. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 October 2006. Retrieved 5 April 2018.
  3. ^ "NZ Government discussion document on taxation of investment income". ird.govt.nz. Archived from the original on 9 September 2006. Retrieved 5 April 2018.
  4. ^ "NZ Government media release on forthcoming international tax review". ird.govt.nz. Archived from the original on 3 October 2006. Retrieved 5 April 2018.