Consultation Hub

Let us know what you think about our drafts. Are they technically accurate? Do they fairly reflect taxation legislation? Are they in line with commercial reality and useful in practical situations?

Current consultations

Draft items produced by the Tax Counsel Office represent the preliminary, though considered, views of the Commissioner of Inland Revenue. They cannot be relied on by taxation officers, taxpayers and practitioners.

Income tax – Whether money or property received by New Zealand tax residents from overseas is income from a foreign trust

This draft interpretation statement updates and will replace IS 19/04 Distributions from foreign trusts. Please refer to the reading guide in the shaded box before the contents for a description of changes. This interpretation statement considers the income tax treatment of amounts of money or property that New Zealand tax residents receive from a person overseas, including through inheritance. It addresses how to determine whether the person who transfers the money or property is a...

Expired consultations

Expired draft items have been out for consultation and the comment deadline has passed. They are still being considered or are on hold pending litigation or review by Inland Revenue’s Policy and Regulatory Stewardship team.

GST - Court-awarded Costs and disbursements

This draft interpretation statement considers whether court-awarded costs and disbursements and out-of-court settlement payments for costs and disbursements are subject to GST. This statement does not consider the GST treatment of court awards and out-of-court settlement payments more generally (eg, payments of damages).

GST treatment of short-stay accommodation

This draft interpretation statement updates IS 20/04 Goods and Services Tax: GST treatment of short-stay accommodation and QB 19/09 “Can I register for GST if I supply short-stay accommodation to guests in my home or holiday home? This draft interpretation statement discusses the GST treatment of short-stay accommodation provided by hosts either through an electronic marketplace (such as Airbnb or Bookabach) or directly to guests. The statement approaches GST from the perspective...

Consultation on taxation of company loans to shareholders

Inland Revenue has launched public consultation on proposals to improve the way new loans by companies to shareholders are taxed. The main proposal is for a new time limit rule that would treat certain shareholder loans as dividends if not repaid within 12 months from the end of the income year they were made. This proposal would only apply to new loans, not existing ones, and only when a company’s total lending to shareholders is $50,000 or more. For more information see: ...