Capital Gains Tax | Kiwiblog

July 25th, 2013 at 2:00 pm by David Farrar

The Herald reports:

A capital gains tax on property makes little sense unless it also applies to the family home, says Finance Minister Bill English.

Speaking at today?s Mood of the Boardroom event in Auckland, English told the country?s top business leaders the government was maintaining its ?clear position? on the capital gains tax debate.

?We?re not supporting the extension of the current capital gains tax,? he said.

?The overseas experts who tell us we need it all say that it should be comprehensive on all capital gains. And if you don?t do the whole thing then it probably doesn?t make much difference.?

I broadly agree with this. My position on Capital Gains Tax is this:

1. We should have a comprehensive capital gains tax (many capital gains are already taxed, but not ?incidental? ones)
   
2. There should be no exemptions, including the family home. To do so will just encourage tax avoidence by giving each family member a home etc.
3. Other tax rates (income and company rates) must drop by at least as much as the extra revenue a CGT would generate for the Government.

You need to do all three together, to get a broad based low rate tax regime ? which is what is best for economic growth. What you shouldn?t do is bring in an exemption riddled CGT and use it as a way to screw taxpayers over for more money to fund extra spending ? which appears to be Labour?s policy.

Tags: Bill English, capital gains tax

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