KEY POINTS:
From today, everything you earn is your own.
Tax Freedom Day is the day when New Zealanders have officially paid off their tax debts and their money becomes their own.
Roger Kerr, executive director of the Business Roundtable, said it is an important milestone, but it is worrying that this year's Tax Freedom Day falls three days later than last year, which indicates that people are paying more tax than they should.
Mr Kerr said New Zealand will find itself further down the OECD rankings and will have to make significant progress if it wants to keep up with countries such as Australia.
He said Tax Freedom Day comes a lot earlier in Australia than in New Zealand.
- NEWSTALK ZB
