Tax system scrutiny

A tax working group comprising of officials, private sector and academic experts has been set up to look at medium-term policy options for the taxation system.

Finance Minister Bill English and Revenue Minister Peter Dunne said yesterday the group would assist the Government in considering the key tax policy challenges facing New Zealand.

The group, co-ordinated by Victoria University's Centre for Accounting, will consider the medium-term direction of the tax system, including assessing policy options.

The group would not make specific policy recommendations, but offer advice on the fiscal framework, and the structure of personal income tax, corporate tax, GST and tax integrity.

The chairman will be Victoria University Pro Vice-Chancellor and dean of the faculty of commerce and administration, Professor Bob Buckle.