In 2018 the introduction of the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy was announced with legislation to give effect to this expected to be passed mid-2019. It is not yet clear when it will take effect. This will mean that international visitors will be charged an additional $35 through their visa fees and it is expected to bring in an estimated $80 million per year to be applied to infrastructure and conservation projects. The fund is expected to help improve the protection and enhancement of New Zealand’s distinctive natural environment and improve tourism planning, according to Conservation Minister Eugenie Sage.

In late April the IRD will be making improvements to their systems to help make everything a little more straightforward for us in the furture.

myIRD Secure Online Services, phone lines and offices will be unavailible from 3pm, Thursday 18th April - 8am, Friday 26th April while they make the changes.

In handing down his maiden Federal Budget, Treasurer Josh Frydenberg outlined the government’s pitch supporting its hope for re-election: a stronger economy and a secure future, announcing that Australia is “back in the black and back on track”.

The Tax Working Group (TWG) has today released their final report which has confirmed close to 100 specific recommendations across New Zealand’s tax system including a broad Capital Gains Tax.

As you will be aware the IRD have undergone a significant system upgrade. With this change has come a few hiccups, one being that we need to reconfirm our Agency list to their new system. While we complete this, you may receive a letter (as per example) in the mail stating that PKF Poutsma Lemon (Paihia) Limited has “third party access to your information”. This letter is simply confirming that we are still your Tax Agents and are continuing to work with the IRD on your behalf. You don’t need to do anything but if you are concerned about the letter or any other correspondence you get from the IRD, please contact us immediately.

The COVID-19 Short-Term Absence Payment is available for businesses, including self-employed people, to help pay their workers who cannot work from home while they wait for a COVID-19 test result.