Key being cute

Finance Minister Michael Cullen said John Key was being “cute” in suggesting National’s nanny tax break would not create extra bureaucracy because the deduction would be based on the existing housekeeper rebate rate.

“Inland Revenue records show only 54,150 people applied for the rebate in 2003 and only 48,647 last year, although data for that year is not complete.

“Yet National’s estimates are that 140,000 children would benefit from their proposal against only 56,000 now – an increase of around 150 per cent

“My statement this morning stands: National’s policy would require thousands more tax returns and more of the pen pushers that National so hates,” Dr Cullen said.

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