Hon Stuart Nash
Minister of Revenue

MEDIA STATEMENT

Tax changes dampen property speculation

Revenue Minister Stuart Nash has confirmed the bright-line test on residential property sales will be extended from two years to five years in legislation currently making its way through Parliament.

Mr Nash will introduce a Supplementary Order Paper to the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2017–18, Employment and Investment Income, and Remedial Matters) Bill to give effect to the changes, which were signalled prior to the election.

“The extension of the previous government’s bright-line test will help dampen property speculation and make homes more affordable,” Mr Nash says.

“The previous government required income tax to be paid on any gains from residential property sold within two years of acquisition, with some exceptions.

“The extension means that profits from residential investment properties which are bought and sold within five years will generally be taxable.

“This proposal will ensure that residential property speculators pay income tax on their gains and makes property speculation less attractive. We need investment which grows the economy and creates jobs, not the sort of investment which distorts the residential housing market. This measure will bring fairness back into the tax system.

“Reducing speculative demand will also help improve housing affordability for owner-occupiers. Current exemptions from the bright line test will remain. This includes the exemption for the main home of owner-occupiers of residential property.

The extension to the bright-line test will apply to residential investment properties purchased from the date on which the bill receives the Royal Assent, which is expected in March. The passage of the bill will also enable the Tax Working Group to factor the change into any consideration of a comprehensive capital gains tax.

For more information on the Bill, see http://taxpolicy.ird.govt.nz

ENDS

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