Annabel Young National Revenue Spokesperson

1 February 2002

IRD ignores Kiwis, but fawns over foreign yachties

"Inland Revenue is treating ordinary New Zealand taxpayers with complete disdain, while falling all over itself to provide a gold-plated service to foreign sailors," says National's Revenue spokesperson Annabel Young.

She says the IRD has closed many of its local offices and Kiwi taxpayers are being left on hold when they phone in call centres.

"New Zealanders are forced to talk to the IRD through call centres, but every third caller is hanging up in disgust because of the unacceptably long waiting times.

"Meanwhile, at the same time, the IRD is providing foreign yachties who are coming to the America's Cup with gold-plated treatment - including their own special office and leaflet.

Ms Young says the yachties seemed to manage to pay their taxes just fine at the last America's Cup - without the IRD's fawning help."

"It's just a pity IRD aren't't so charming and willing to help out ordinary, hard-working New Zealand taxpayers," Annabel Young adds.

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