Daňová reforma na Novém Zélandu a její tendence v zemích OECD
TAX REFORM IN NEW ZEALAND AND ITS TENDENCY IN OECD COUNTRIES

Summary/Abstract: During the 1980s and 1990s there were extensive tax policy changes in New Zealand, including major simplification of income tax; e. g., employment related expenditures, special exemptions and most rebates were removed; the 19-step personal income tax rates were reduced to 3 rates (15 %, 21 %, 33 %), and expanded domestic withholding taxes. The legislative emphasis has been put on delivering low tax rate system, simplifying tax legislation, and providing greater certainty for taxpayers. The statutory company income tax rate applying to New Zealand corporations is 33 %. There was the removal of industry-based incentives for businesses in the frame-work of tax system. In 1986 there was introduced Goods and services tax (GST) at a rate of 10 %. The rate was increased to 12.5 % in 1989. There are other taxes and duties that are the responsibility of Inland Revenue. It does not cover duties that are administered by other government agencies, e. g. levies on tobacco and petrol. Fringe benefit tax (FBT) was introduced at a rate of 49 % in 1985 to ensure that non-cash benefits provided to employees would be subjected to tax. This rate was set so that employers face the same costs in providing fringe benefits as they would in making an equivalent taxable payment to an employee on the top marginal tax rate. There are four main categories of taxable fringe benefits: motor vehicles; low-interest loans; free, subsidised or discounted goods and services; employer contributions to sickness, acci-dent or death benefit funds and specified insurance policies. Gaming duty consists of lottery duty, gaming machine duty and casino duty. A do-nor of property pays gift duty. It is payable at progressive rates according to the value of the gift. There are two types of stamp duty: conveyance duty and lease duty. The duty is levied at progressive rates on the value of the property. Bills of exchange are liable to cheque duty. From April 1, 2000 the top personal income tax rate was increased from 33 % to 39 % for income over 60,000 NZD (New Zealand dollars), and the fringe benefit tax rate from 49 % to 64 %. Related changes were also applied to the extra emolument rate for lump sum payments such as bonuses, redundancy and retirement payments, and for withholding tax rate for interest.

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