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What's New Archive 2000
Previous News
Note: All news content is archived by year and accessed using the links below. Some older content may not be available - a general rule is the older the link, the less likely it is to be there. To search for information by topic rather than date, try our Alphabetical Site Index.
HomeDecember 2000
Thursday 21st December -
Commerce Minister Paul Swain has today announced the members of the new Ministerial Panel on Business Compliance Costs. 
Wednesday 20th December - We take this opportunity to wish all our clients a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Our help desk continues to operate throughout the holiday period 8.30am to 5.00pm Monday to Friday, public holidays excepted.
Monday 18th December - Employers putting on an end-of-year party or providing non-cash benefits to staff
will be caught by a myriad of different rules incorporating entertainment tax, fringe benefit tax and income tax on individual employees, according to PricewaterhouseCoopers director Ray Headifen.
Friday 15th December - New Zealand workers on the lowest rates of pay will receive
an income boost in 2001, Minister of Labour Margaret Wilson and Youth Affairs Minister Laila Harré announced today.
Thursday 14th December - Fund managers and investors with index funds can breath a sigh of relief now that IRD has decided to let passively managed funds keep their tax advantage for another three years. See the tax section at xtra.co.nz.
Wednesday 13th December - This month's IRD Payroll News added.
Thursday 7th December - FAQ added on password entry.
Friday 1st December - The Swiss offer an interesting "choose your own tax" option that
could be a model for other nations in the not-to-distant future. You can take up residence in Switzerland by negotiating your own lump-sum tax rate.
November 2000
Tuesday 28th November - Case law article added on the legality of secret video surveillance cameras.
Tuesday 21st November - 14 year IRD battle shows still too soon to celebrate, according to press release from Libertarianz Party.
Monday 20th November - Ace Payroll Mailbag articles added on historical data entry, payment of accounts and support contract renewals.
Friday 17th November - The Government has ordered the Accident Compensation Corporation and Inland Revenue to get together and work out how much to pay an Auckland couple who battled the
IRD for years.
Thursday 16th November - Modern day versions of the Ant and the Grasshopper and the story of the Little Red Hen.
Wednesday 15th November - Latest Retail News added.
Friday 10th November - "The members of the Tax Review 2001 met for the first time on Wednesday and Thursday of last week" Rob McLeod, Chair of the Tax Review, said recently.
Wednesday 8th November - HSBC has launched an offshore account internet banking service. They are unable to offer this service to residents of Canada, Malaysia or New Zealand. Use an overseas friend's address on your application form.
Monday 6th November - This month's IRD Payroll News added.
Wednesday 1st November - Radical tax reforms endorsed last week by the Isle of Man's Tynwald, the
world's oldest parliament, will result in the halving of corporate tax to 10 per cent and a reduction in the top rate of income tax from 20 per cent to 15 per cent.
October 2000
Tuesday 31st October - Case law article added on dismissing an employee who fails to meet budget.
Monday 30th October - Tax Information Bulletin Vol 12 No 10 including use of money interest rates - transfer pricing guidelines - Cost price of motor vehicle
Thursday 26th October - Documentation added on the One Off Report.
Wednesday 25th October - The year's third taxation bill was introduced into Parliament last week.
The Taxation (Beneficiary Income of Minors, Services-related Payments and Remedial Matters) Bill introduces a wide range of changes.
Wednesday 18th October - FAQ added on locating the serial number and version of your installed Ace Payroll program.
Tuesday 17th October - Documentation added on the user definable employee data field.
Friday 13th October - GST changes enacted yesterday will affect most of the business community.
Some of the changes reduce compliance costs, some close loopholes, and others clarify the legislation and generally improve its effectiveness. Most came into effect this week.
Thursday 12th October - This month's IRD Payroll News added.
Wednesday 11th October - Documentation added on IR File import problems.
Tuesday 10th October - The difference between an employee and self employed contractor under the Employment Relations Act.
Thursday 5th October - The use-of-money interest rates payable on underpayments and overpayments of tax and duties are to increase in line with market rates. The rate for underpayments will increase from 10.84% to 12.62%, and the rate for overpayments will increase from 4.67% to 5.74%. The new rates will apply from 8 November 2000.
Tuesday 3rd October - The recently released What the Employment Relations Act means for employers booklet written by the Employment Relations Service, converted to a browsable format.
September 2000
Tuesday 26th September - There is an area covered by the new legislation that is important for all employers and
particularly important for small employers. That relates to the process that must be followed when engaging staff.
Monday 25th September - One in four people ringing up the Inland Revenue Department give up before the phone is answered, Finance Minister Michael Cullen tells Parliament.
Wednesday 13th September - The Finance and Expenditure Committee yesterday reported back to Parliament on the Taxation (Annual Rates, GST and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill and recommended several changes to the legislation proposed in the bill.
Tuesday 12th September - Released yesterday, the following draft reflects the work undertaken to date by the Interim Good Faith Code Committee as required by section 35 of the ERA.
Monday 11th September - By the end of this year some 40 million Americans will have had an adversarial
confrontation with the Internal Revenue Service. In a rising number of such confrontations, the taxpayer is right, and the IRS is wrong. Sound familiar?
Wednesday 6th September - All six schedules to the Employment Relations Act added including full details of the amendments made to 52 other enactments.
Tuesday 5th September - The Government is expected to sign a double tax agreement with the Russian Federation tomorrow in Wellington.
Monday 4th September - Employment Relations Act 2000 uploaded as passed by Parliament.
Sunday 3rd September - The Bank of Ireland has established the first Internet offshore banking service, with the launch of Fsharp ( www.fsharpbank.com ). The electronic facility, based in the Isle of Man, is aimed at people living and working abroad. Fsharp will be fully operational from 4 September 2000, offering a range of deposit and fund management services plus debit and credit cards, to allow easy access to funds.
August 2000
Wednesday 30th August - The Australian and New Zealand governments are to examine "triangular" imputation credits for trans-Tasman investment, Australian Treasurer Peter Costello and New Zealand Treasurer Michael Cullen announced yesterday.
Tuesday 29th August - The Minister of Revenue wants to extend the deadline for claiming tax
rebates for donations and payments for housekeeping and childcare to 31 December, as some people are having problems meeting the 30 September deadline introduced this year.
Friday 25th August -
Parliament last night concluded the second reading of the Taxation (FBT, SSCWT and Remedial Matters) Bill. The bill is expected to have its final reading in September.
Thursday 24th August - A browsable IR 194 Gift Duty Guide added.
Wednesday 16th August - The very latest on the Employment Relations Act fiasco at Scoop ERB Wars Special.
Monday 14th August - Recent press clippings on changes to the IR-File system.
Monday 7th August - We wish all employers, particularly those for whom English is a second
language, the best of luck complying with the new section 120B of the Employment Relations Bill dealing with discrimination :-
| "For the purposes of subsection (1), sections 24 to 35 of the Human Rights Act 1993 must be read as if they referred to section 120 of this Act, rather than to section 22 of that Act. In particular, references in section 30 or section 34 of that Act to section 22(1)(a) or 22(1)(b) of that Act must be read as if they were references to section 120(1)(a) of this Act" |
Friday 4th August - All changes to the Employment Relations Bill are now included in our browsable guide.
Wednesday 2nd August - Changes to the Employment Relations Bill have retained the fundamentals of the original draft, though genuine attempts have been made to address concerns, says Labour Minister Margaret Wilson. GOVT1 - GOVT2 - NATIONAL1 - NATIONAL2 - GOVT3 - GREENS - EMA - NZCTU - NZEF1 - NZEF2 - ACT1 - ACT2 - ASMS - NZMF - PSA - NZEI - WRCC - AKLCC - NZBR
Tuesday 1st August - Documentation added on the generic import utility.
July 2000
Wednesday 26th July - During the last fortnight we've changed the layout of our web content to improve navigation, readability and interest. If you have any comments, compliments or criticisms feel free to email our editor directly.
Monday 24th July - FAQ added on problems creating direct credit export file after installing Ace Payroll on a new computer.
Tuesday 18th July - This month's IRD Payroll News added.
Wednesday 5th July - Opposing commentaries on the recent OECD report on tax havens by Hon Dr Michael Cullen and the Daily Telegraph.
Monday 3rd July - Provisional Tax Guide IR289 added in browsable format.
June 2000
Friday 30th June - How to dispute an assessment IR778 added in browsable format.
Wednesday 28th June - Case law article added stressing the importance of procedural fairness with dismissal.
Monday 26th June - Documentation added on the system information utility.
Saturday 24th June - The OECD's Financial Action Task Force (FATF) yesterday announced the names of the winners of its 'best tax haven' competition. Having studied laws, banking secrecy and tax levels, the organisation has nominated a short-list of fifteen jurisdictions which is says offer the least co-operation to international investigators - and therefore have the best level of protection for those who wish to keep their assets away from prying eyes ... more
Friday 23rd June - Latest IRD Payroll News added.
Wednesday 21st June - Article added to the ERA section showing the fallacy of absolute confidentiality in mediation as provided for in the new Act.
Monday 19th June - See the questions being asked in our new mailbag section.
Thursday 15th June - Finance Minister Michael Cullen today delivered his first budget. He promises to create a stronger and fairer tax system.
Tuesday 13th June - Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov said on Sunday that the 13% flat tax rate adopted last week by parliament was likely to reduce capital flight and encourage employers to pay higher wages ... more
Monday 12th June - FAQ added on setting up desktop banking systems.
Wednesday 7th June - FAQ added on regular payroll procedures.
Monday 5th June - Article added to the ERA section discussing the provision of information to other parties.
Friday 2nd June - This week the IRD introduced a new standard practice statement for the audio taping of interviews.
May 2000
Wednesday 31st May - Version 3.07B released today.
Tuesday 30th May - Russia will institute a flat income tax in an overhaul to make the system fair and easy. Flat 13% tax. Petrol up to $NZ0.68 cents a litre. more...
Friday 26th May - This week Inland Revenue is sending out a Summary of Earnings to almost 800,000 people who file IR3 tax returns.
Wednesday 24th May - FAQ added explaining why new employees are missing from the IRD copy of the Employer Monthly Schedule.
Monday 22nd May - Latest IRD Payroll News added.
Friday 19th May - FAQ added explaining how to change the date description on payslips.
Wednesday 17th May - FAQ added explaining how to overwrite the default PAYE and student loan deductions.
Monday 15th May - FAQ added describing the new employee index search utility.
Friday 12th May - Updated FAQ documenting the IR File Amalgamation Module.
Thursday 11th May - FAQ added explaining the new Earnings Certificates.
Wednesday 10th May - Revenue Minister Michael Cullen yesterday reassured contractors that their tax status will not be directly affected by the provisions of the Employment Relations Act ... more
Tuesday 9th May - Case law article added demonstrating an employee is only redundant if position no longer exists.
Monday 8th May - Go straight to what you are looking for with the new alphabetical site index.
Friday 5th May - FAQ added explaining how to delete or undelete transactions.
Thursday 4th May - FAQ added explaining the differences between using period ending or actual payment dates.
Wednesday 3rd May - Version 3.07A released today.
Tuesday 2nd May - Updated export routine into Computer Concepts Cash Manager.
April 2000
Saturday 29th April - A minority of employers stand to lose some of the benefits of tax simplification if they do not file their monthly schedules correctly, Inland Revenue national manager Jared Mullen has warned ... more
Friday 28th April - Full text of the Employment Relations Bill added with links to all section references.
Tuesday 25th April - Article added to the ERA section explaining how employers will once again have to demonstrate a genuine need if an employee is on a fixed term contract.
Thursday 20th April - FAQ added describing the activation of cash rounding.
Tuesday 18th April - FAQ added explaining the different ways to name files for IR Filing.
Thursday 13th April - The child support agreement between Australia and New Zealand, signed yesterday in Canberra, comes into force on 1 July. This agreement allows each country to enforce payment of child support from parents living in the other country. Details of liable parents' income and addresses is also shared.
Tuesday 11th April - FAQ added explaining the calculation of bi monthly pay dates.
Sunday 9th April - Updated FAQ explaining how to process multiple pay frequencies.
Thursday 6th April - The Government is to introduce wide-ranging changes to GST to "improve the workability and effectiveness" of the tax. The changes will be included in legislation to be introduced into Parliament in May.
Tuesday 4th April - The Government has already increased the level of the minimum wage and decided, in principle, to lower the age threshold for the adult minimum wage from 20 to 18 years of age.
Monday 3rd April - Section added on the new Employment Relations Act.
Saturday 1st April - A rather unusual FAQ added explaining how to log on to this web site!
March 2000
Wednesday 29th March - FAQ added explaining how to format a diskette.
Monday 27th March - The Government today introduced new legislation proposing a fund withdrawal tax to prevent avoidance of the new 39 percent tax rate through the use of employer contributions to superannuation schemes, and a three-tier fringe benefit tax that will allow employers to choose FBT rates that are closer to employees' personal tax rates. Other changes include repeal of use-of-money interest on yearly payments of fringe benefit tax, and clarification of the foreign investment fund rules as they apply to investors in New Zealand-resident companies that migrate.
Friday 17th March - FAQ added confirming that Ace Payroll is IRD Compliant.
Wednesday 15th March - March 2000 IRD Payroll News
Monday 13th March - An entertaining article by Dave Barry of the Miami Herald on How To Handle The IRS.
Sunday 12th March - Following the IRD confusion about the No Declaration rate from 1st April 2000 we have added a link to the Taxation - Tax Rate Increase - Act 1999. It appears the new No Declaration rate of 39% only applies to interest withholding tax deducted by financial institutions, and as there is no change in this Act to employer deductions the old rate of 45% still applies.
Saturday 11th March - Picked as site of the month by www.kiwisites.com
Friday 10th March - Link added to the Tax Rate Increase Information Sheet, published by the IRD Policy Advice Division, which is by far the clearest documentation we have seen on the new tax changes.
Wednesday 8th March - Case law article added on making deductions from an employee's final pay.
February 2000
Sunday 27th February - Version 3.06D released today.
Saturday 26th February - FAQ added on using the direct credit emergency backup files.
Monday 21st February - Version 3.06C released today.
Friday 18th February - Upgrade despatch status report added.
Thursday 17th February - Case law article added on retrieving overpaid wages.
Wednesday 16th February - You have tickets for a One Day Cricket International. It looks like rain. Use the internet to find out whether the game is on. Logon to cricinfo.org, click the map of Australia, then select the required game. You are presented with an automatically updating ball by ball commentary.
Friday 4th February - Version 3.06B released today incorporating tax changes effective 1st April 2000.
Thursday 3rd February - Links added to Top 20 Statistics for the New Zealand economy, and recent reports from the Dept of Statistics.
January 2000
Thursday 20th January - An article by Alan Cressey on the replacement for the Employment Contracts Act expected to be passed into law later this year, and an FAQ added for accountants and payroll bureau.
Wednesday 19th January - FAQ added on rounding with CAE & EDW tax codes.
Tuesday 18th January - FAQ added on backing up to a zip drive.
Monday 17th January - FAQ's added on ASB Desktop Banking and child support variation codes.
Saturday 15th January - FAQ's added on monthly schedules and non taxable allowances and a payslip printing problem with salaried staff.
Thursday 13th January - FAQ's added on reinstalling Windows to a clean machine.
Wednesday 12th January - Latest Y2K Status Report.
Tuesday 11th January - Holidays Act published on line as the first stage of our project to provide a linked plain english guide and interpretation to this important piece of employment law.
Monday 10th January - Additions to our favourite press releases.
Thursday 6th January - FAQ's added on monthly schedule question about employees that have not been paid during the month.
Sunday 2nd January - Version 3.06A released today.
Previous News
Note: All news content is archived by year and accessed using the links below. Some older content may not be available - a general rule is the older the link, the less likely it is to be there. To search for information by topic rather than date, try our Alphabetical Site Index.
