Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | News Video | Crime | Employers | Housing | Immigration | Legal | Local Govt. | Maori | Welfare | Unions | Youth | Search

 

Despite Limits, the Tax Working Group Can Make a Difference

Income Equality Aotearoa New Zealand Inc. Closing the Gap
Media release on the Tax Working Groups latest publication. For Immediate Release Monday 19th March 2018

Despite It Limits, the Tax Working Group Can Make a Difference

The income equality project Closing the Gap has welcomed the latest work of the Tax Working Group, and says that despite limits put on the inquiry, it can still make a difference to inequality in New Zealand.

Spokesperson for Closing the Gap, Peter Malcolm said while equality campaigners were very
disappointed that the Tax Working Group's (TWG) Terms of Reference have ruled out some key options — like inheritance taxes, an all-inclusive capital gains tax—the family home is specifically excluded, and overall tax increases — there was enough left on the table to make a dent in inequality.

In its latest documents, issued last week, the TWG said it has a particular interest in "the fairness and balance of our tax settings", and acknowledged inequality as one of the major challenges affecting the tax system.

"It's clear from the group's work so far that taxing wealth must be a priority," Mr. Malcolm said. "The TWG itself points out that wealth — which is currently not taxed — is distributed much less equally than income in New Zealand."

"While we'd like to see a more steeply progressive tax regime in the mix — that is, higher taxes on high income earners — we're pleased to see discussion of wealth taxes."

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

Mr Malcolm said boosting benefits and other transfers to lower income families needed to go hand-in-hand with any tax overhaul.

"The Tax Working Group is now taking submissions and we're hoping New Zealanders who care about equality will have their say before the 30 April deadline," Mr. Malcolm said. "Just drop the TWG a line at submissions@taxworkinggroup.govt.nz and tell them what you think," he said.
Info:
Details about the Tax Working Group and its Terms of Reference are here: https://taxworkinggroup.govt.nz/

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines



Gordon Campbell: On National’s Fantasy Trip To La La Landlord Land


How much political capital is Christopher Luxon willing to burn through in order to deliver his $2.9 billion gift to landlords? Evidently, Luxon is:
(A) unable to cost the policy accurately. As Anna Burns-Francis pointed out to him on Breakfast TV, the original ”rock solid” $2.1 billion cost he was touting to voters last year has now blown out to $2.9 billion. (That’s a 38% size error in the calculations.)
(B) unable to provide assurance that this handout won’t simply be pocketed by landlords
(C) unable to explain why Treasury (in research as recent as August 2023) wasn’t citing the loss of interest deductibility as a prime factor driving up rents.
More than anything, the Great Landlords Handout undermines the government’s alarmist talk about the state of the country’s books...
More


 
 


Government: One-stop Shop Major Projects On The Fast Track

The Coalition Government’s new one-stop-shop fast track consenting regime for regional and national projects of significance will cut red tape and make it easier for New Zealand to build the infrastructure and major projects needed to get the country moving again... More

ALSO:


Government: GPS 2024: Over $20 Billion To Get Transport Back On Track
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has released the draft Government Policy Statement (GPS) on Land Transport, outlining the Coalition Government’s plan to build and maintain a transport system that enables people to get to where they need to go quickly and safely... More

ALSO:

Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.