The New Zealand Inland Revenue Department (IRD) will begin closer scrutiny of new zealanders with undeclared offshore assets and incomes, in an effort to stop tax evasion. Last week the IRD released a statement disclosing its intention to utilize New Zealand's existing Tax Information Exchange Agreements (TIEA) to catch potential tax evaders. Martin Scott, Group Manager of Assurance, revealed that the IRD is particularly interested in discovering New Zealand tax residents undisclosed offshore bank accounts, overseas life-insurance policies and superannuation benefits. Under current ... Read More

Independent business groups are calling for the New Zealand Government to institute a new Goods and Service Tax (GST) exemption system for visiting overseas-residents. On June 5th Cameron Brewer, CEO of the Newmarket Business Association, issued a statement supporting Ann Lockhart, CEO of the Queenstown Chamber of Commerce, who on the same day called for a revised GST-exemption program to be instituted for foreign visitors. Under the proposal, overseas nationals could present their purchase invoices at a New Zealand international airport and be ... Read More

The Double Taxation Agreement (DTA) between New Zealand and Singapore has come one step closer to enactment, having now been incorporated into New Zealand law. On May 12th the New Zealand Government announced the signing of an Order in Council for the DTA between New Zealand and Singapore. The signing of the Order officially incorporates the agreement into national legislation. According to Peter Dunne, New Zealand Revenue Minister, the DTA will come into effect when the equivalent legal ratification process ... Read More

The New Zealand and Hong Kong Governments have announced that they intend to soon initiate a round of negotiations concerning the establishment of a Double Taxation Agreement (DTA) between the nations. On March 29th Peter Dunne, New Zealand Revenue Minister, announced that the New Zealand Government and the Hong Kong Government expect to start negotiations on a DTA in October. The agreement aims to eliminate instances of double taxation on incomes earned by individuals and businesses entities while operating in the corresponding ... Read More