Gordon Copeland Press Release
For Immediate Release
Tuesday, 2nd September 2008

Kiwi Party backs income splitting for couples

Independent MP and Kiwi Party candidate Gordon Copeland today confirmed that his Party strongly supports income splitting for tax purposes by parents with dependent children.

“Way before I entered Parliament in 2002, and since then, I have tirelessly advocated for such an income splitting system in New Zealand,” said Mr Copeland.

“It is fundamentally unjust that the current tax system is blind to the fact that couples with children have an enormous range of costs over and above those incurred by people without dependents. But that is exactly what the present tax system does.”

“The tax system should differentiate so that income earners with children can fittingly provide for their needs.”

“In addition, an equity issue is involved here. It is still the case that thousands of parents, mainly mothers, choose to take time out from the work force so that they can be with their children, especially preschoolers.”

“Income splitting is a tangible way of recognising the contribution that such parents are making to New Zealand society. Bringing up children is, in every sense of the word, real work; in fact the most important job any of us ever gets to do.”

“I’m delighted that 90% of those who have responded to the Minister of Revenue’s discussion document on income splitting support that proposal.”

ENDS

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