Sloppy thinking unfair to immigrants, 2-worker families. Every time the economy is looking iffy, people start saying, “Stop immigration,” or even, “Send home the immigrants.” Their reason: “They’re stealing our jobs.” This is sloppy economic thinking — not looking down the track at the consequences of a policy change.
Q&As: Tips for retired couple whose interest income has halved; Savings accounts may pay more interest than term deposits — but take care; Tax on foreign shares seems tough in current environment.
Q&As: Don’t try to time markets. Stick with your regular retirement savings, although you may want to modify where you save; Teen’s worries are unfounded about how Dad’s income would affect KiwiSaver first home subsidy — but other subsidy issues still undecided; Tax-wise, it’s better to borrow for taxable activities than to buy a family home. Plus: Clarification on the taxation of interest on loans between family members.
Q&As: Couple approaching retirement should spend most of their savings on paying off their mortgage; Yes, you can get KiwiSaver tax credits as well as NZ Super; Reader who distrust government confuses KiwiSaver with NZ Super Fund; Was this column wrong last week about withholding tax on interest paid on a loan within a family?
Q&As: Government’s KiwiSaver changes include a big improvement on their pre-election plans; New taxation of KiwiSaver employer contributions is fair enough. Plus: readers’ views of my political leanings vary widely.
Tax cuts bring KiwiSaver into reach for many. The “I can’t afford KiwiSaver” excuse is about to get weaker for many New Zealanders. Tax cuts come into effect from October 1, and many families will also benefit from changes to the Working for Families tax credit and income threshold. The extra money will cover at least half of many people’s KiwiSaver contributions, sometimes more.
Q&As: Reader wants a list showing how KiwiSaver funds have performed, but I won’t oblige; Why farmers mingle their work and personal expenses; More reasons why taxing families as one unit might harm more than it helps.
Q&As: 3 Q&As on whether New Zealand should raise GST and reduce income tax — including how some farmers cheat on their taxes, and whether we want to encourage people to work longer hours; Why KiwiSaver providers are highly unlikely to suffer the same fate as many finance companies.
Q&As: Would it be better to raise GST and lower income tax?; Possible raising of retirement age not a good reason to stay out of KiwiSaver.
Q&As: Average Joe Bloggs, sick of the rich and poor ripping off the system, seeks tax breaks; “Fair Go” television show overlooked three important points when criticising KiwiSaver for children.