Tag: Inland Revenue

Privacy Issues Arise as IRD Requests Data on Cryptocurrency Users

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The Inland Revenue Department is asking cryptocurrency companies to hand over their clients’ personal details as well as their digital currency holdings for tax payment purposes. The New Zealand tax agency claims that this kind of data sharing will increase their understanding of crypto assets in New Zealand, “so we…

Inland Revenue Grants Tax Relief For Short-Term Rental Providers

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Short-term accommodation providers, like Airbnb and Bookabach, now qualify for a COVID-19 tax break from the Inland Revenue Department (IRD). To be eligible for this tax exemption, short-term rental providers must have registered for GST and be forced into closure due the novel coronavirus pandemic. In addition, they must also…

New Charter to Regulate the Use of Data in Algorithms

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Statistics New Zealand has begun using an Algorithm Charter for Aotearoa New Zealand that guarantees the secure use of New Zealanders’ personal data by public agencies. This measure, which regulates the use of data and analytics, comes in response to suggestions made within the Algorithm Assessment Report in 2018. The…

New Zealand Announces Small Business Cash Flow Loan Scheme

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The government has introduced the Small Business Cash Flow Loan Scheme (SBCS) to assist businesses as the country re-opens. Even though most businesses can now operate as normal, many still face an uncertain future, and the SBCS is meant to ensure they can continue to operate. The scheme will be…

New Email Scam Circulating in New Zealand

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Fraudulent emails claiming to be from the Inland Revenue Department and stating that the receiver is entitled to a tax refund have been circulating to New Zealanders’ inboxes. The emails have a similar layout to official IRD emails and also contain the IRD logo, making them appear legitimate at first…

IRD No Longer Accepting Cheques

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As of March 1st 2020, the Inland Revenue Department stopped accepting cheques. The decision was taken after Kiwibank, New Zealand Post, and the Accident Compensation Corporation took the same step. According to spokesperson Sharon Thompson, the IRD is becoming more digital in its operations and a majority of its customers…

New Tax Law for Employee Travel

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Starting April 1 this year, the Inland Revenue Department will apply a new tax law for employee travel. This law simplifies the tax rules with regard to employees travelling long distances or to multiple locations for business reasons. The IRD noted that tax rules covering employee travel have up to…

Inland Revenue Pressures Oracle on Transfer Pricing

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The Inland Revenue Department is currently embroiled in a transfer pricing dispute with business software titan Oracle. Oracle received a statement of position with regards to taxes owed in April of last year. However, Oracle responded in June stating their disagreement with the matter. Professional tax advisors have commented that…

US$4.2 Million Seized From International Movie Piracy Website

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As criminals increasingly turn to cryptocurrencies to hide or transfer their wealth, governments and service providers have increased their focus on putting a halt to such practices. Following the shutdown of an international movie piracy website, assets generated by the site have been either frozen or seized. The movie piracy…